Community nursing for a diverse population

The response of community nurses to the health care needs of people with diverse backgrounds in the community is the central theme of this chapter. The diversity of the Australian population and the issue of equity for all Australians within the health care services are key principles that position the context of community nursing. The relevant principles and approaches to manage the community-based population diversity for health are presented with ideas for practice. Several issues are identified and future trends highlighted. Definitions of terms are incorporated to clarify concepts when appropriate. The key concept of diversity and its meaning relate to any factor that contributes to an individual's diversity such as their culture, spiritual or religious beliefs, socio-economic situation, educational level, environmental situation or particular individual circumstances that influence the person's health, well-being and quality of life