Passage of the Affordable Care Act provides a unique window of opportunity to strengthen the delivery of prevention education and highlight the nurse's role in our healthcare system. Low health literacy, coupled with increasing numbers of chronic preventable conditions, demonstrate current efforts are insufficient. Based on the ubiquitous presence of nurses in all communities and the high degree of trust bestowed on them, an adequate nursing workforce can play a major role in prevention, thus reducing both morbidity and costs related to chronic disease. HR 3679, the National Nurse Act of 2011 designates the Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS to engage nurses to replicate successful prevention programs. Visit http://nationalnurse.org for more information and get involved.



