Preventing Chronic Health Conditions: The View of a Certified Adult Health Nurse Practitioner
The Importance of Preventive Healthcare
New York – “Many chronic health conditions are preventable with proper nutrition, adherence to periodic screenings and taking of medication as advised- leading to longer, healthier lives free of common illnesses.”
This is the view of Jamaican born certified Adult Health Nurse Practitioner Dr. Karlene Lawrence, whose experience in Preventive Medicine spans over two decades at various health centers in New York City and Long Island.
Regular Screenings and Early Diagnosis
“Regular screenings for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol as well as breast, prostate and colon cancers can lead to early diagnosis, less complicated treatment options, lower healthcare costs and more successful outcomes if any of these illnesses are diagnosed,” she says. “This is why preventive healthcare and wellness are my passions. Early in my career, I realized that the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is very accurate and applicable. Preventive healthcare thus became the focus of my practice many years ago and remains so until today.”
Challenges in Preventive Healthcare
Lack of access to affordable healthcare, health insurance company payment constraints, stigmas towards various health conditions and biases against older patients and patients with mental health issues are also problematic at times, says Dr. Lawrence.
“Additionally, the sad reality is that a majority of the world’s population have challenges understanding healthcare discussions or instructions they are given due to low or no literacy. This hinders achievement of desired preventive healthcare goals. And unfortunately, the current United States health system can be complicated and difficult to navigate. This is a long standing and complex issue that requires an immediate solution to ensure that ‘best treatment’ is always the goal for ALL patients.”
Dr. Lawrence’s Journey
Dr. Lawrence was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, and attended Holy Childhood Preparatory and High Schools in Kingston, before immigrating to the USA at the age of 17.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Molloy College in Rockville Centre with the goal of becoming a Nurse-Midwife, and after obtaining a Midwifery and Women’s Health Graduate degree from New York University, she began practicing in outpatient settings in Queens and Brooklyn.
It was at this juncture that her focus changed.
“I realized that the care of my female patients was incomplete, because I was unable to care for their male partners also. That prompted me to pursue an Adult Nurse Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate. Over time, it became apparent that my true passion was educating patients about illness prevention and achieving wellness, rather than ‘problem focused’ appointments and treating an illness after it was already diagnosed.”
Dr. Lawrence returned to school yet again in 2017 to pursue and ultimately receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from SUNY Stony Brook University in 2019.
Current Work and Goals
Dr. Lawrence is currently the Doctor of Nursing Practice / Nurse Practitioner on a multimillion dollar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant, from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The goal of the program is to transform the healthcare workforce and community in Brooklyn by establishing a new wellness clinic for adults aged 65 years and older. The clinic will also serve as a training facility for students from all schools and colleges at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
As she puts it, “My goal as a health and wellness educator-presenter is to increase awareness, comprehension and adherence to recommended preventive health screening guidelines, improve health literacy and eliminate occurrences of health disparities. I am also passionate about empowering individuals through education to prevent diseases, promote health and maintain wellness as they age in their own residences.”
Conclusion
Preventive healthcare is a crucial aspect of maintaining good health, and it is essential to address the challenges that come with it. Dr. Lawrence’s passion for educating patients about illness prevention and achieving wellness is inspiring, and her work in the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program is a testament to her commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
FAQs
Q: What is the most important thing that people can do to prevent chronic health conditions?
A: Regular screenings for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol as well as breast, prostate and colon cancers can lead to early diagnosis, less complicated treatment options, lower healthcare costs and more successful outcomes.
Q: What are some of the challenges that people face in accessing preventive healthcare?
A: Lack of access to affordable healthcare, health insurance company payment constraints, stigmas towards various health conditions and biases against older patients and patients with mental health issues are some of the challenges that people face in accessing preventive healthcare.
Q: What is Dr. Lawrence’s goal as a health and wellness educator-presenter?
A: Dr. Lawrence’s goal is to increase awareness, comprehension and adherence to recommended preventive health screening guidelines, improve health literacy and eliminate occurrences of health disparities, and empower individuals through education to prevent diseases, promote health and maintain wellness as they age in their own residences.