I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Drs. Ruffin, Rice, and Wilson for their article “Top Post-Pandemic Global Health Concerns” (American Nurse Journal, February 2025). The article provides a compelling and multidimensional view of the ongoing global health challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors offer an integrative approach that reflects the complexity of intersecting health issues, including mental illness, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cancer, and climate-related health threats. The discussion on mental health, particularly regarding the pandemic’s effects on children and adolescents, is critical. As the authors note, the rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm have increased significantly. The identified contributing factors, such as heightened domestic stress, social isolation, and underfunded youth services, highlight the urgent need for global investment in mental health infrastructure and trauma-informed care models. The article focuses on disparities, including racial and socioeconomic inequities, highlighting the need to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) as crucial for achieving health equity. These observations align with nursing’s moral and professional responsibility to advocate for vulnerable populations through policy, education, and direct care. I suggest placing a stronger emphasis on health policy advocacy as a key nursing intervention. While the article highlights the vital role of nurses in education, community support, and telehealth, I encourage future discussions on equipping nurses with the tools and training necessary to engage in legislative processes, influence health policy, and lead structural change efforts.

Manoucheka Chery MSN, FNP-BC
West Palm Beach, FL