Environmental factors, such as stress, are major causes of ill health. Whether arising from personal choice or from the environment these hazards require attention. Nurses are increasingly advocating policies and programmes aimed at creating healthy homes, schools, workplaces, communities, etc. Work environments which lessen stress and allow people to make their full contribution need to be supported, created and studied. Nurses are important advocates for accident and disease prevention both at home and in the workplace.
Most accidents are preventable, but much more education is required.
1 United Nations, World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and Plan of Action for Implementations of the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children in the 1990's , United Nations, New York, 1991. The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 120 national nurses' associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.