Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework: The Nursing Perspective

The Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework (Curriculum Framework) was developed by the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force comprised of representatives from allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing and nurse practitioners, pharmacy and physicians assistants. This multidiscipline Task Force was covened to address the Healthy People 2010 objective of increasing the health promotion/prevention content in health professional education. A focus on clinical prevention and population health activities is central to the goal of improving the health status of the nation and offers the greatest potential to reduce many leading causes of death and improve quality of life across diverse populations. The Curriculum Framework provides a set of 4 components (evidence base for practice, clinical preventive services, health systems/health policy and community aspects of practice) and 19 domains for organizing and implementing the curriculum. The title "Clinical Prevention and Population Health" includes both individual and population focused health promotion and prevention efforts. The role of nursing in developing the Curriculum Framework, and the tailoring and implementation of the Curriculum Framework for undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing is discussed.