Assignment:
Population Health Advocacy
Human trafficking, extreme poverty, preventable diseases, the opioid crisis and the lack of adequate low-income housing are a few current societal concerns worthy of social change. Nurses and healthcare leaders are in a good position to shape and influence health care policy.
Think of a cause you believe in strongly. Access the website of your elected officials either at the local, state, or federal level using the following link: use the website of your choice. Explore some of the issues and committees your legislators are involved in and select at least one that interest you or align with your beliefs. You may also contact your legislator’s office and speak to his or her legislative assistant by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard operator at (202) 224-3121 for the Senate and (202) 225-3121 for the House. Legislator assistants are very knowledgeable about the legislator’s agenda and can provide a wealth of information.
This assignment will be at least 1500 words or more. This week reflect on advocacy, collaborative partnerships with other health care practitioners and stakeholders, and the policy making process and write a paper that addresses the following:
- Describe the policy issue, policy problem of interest or a particular bill that your legislator has introduced
- Elaborate on why the policy matters and what you can possibly do to strengthen the policy?
- Briefly define the role you would play as an advocate for the healthcare consumer and healthcare professionals.
- Explain how the policy impacts the public at large or a particular population.
- What stakeholders would you collaborate with to promote the cause?
Assignment Expectations
Length: 1500-2000 words in length
Structure: Include a title page and reference page in APA format. These do not count towards the minimal word amount for this assignment. Your essay must include an introduction and a conclusion.
References: Use the appropriate APA style in-text citations and references for all resources utilized to answer the questions. A minimum of two (2) scholarly sources are required for this assignment.
Format: Save your assignment as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As healthcare leaders, it is important to understand the impact of policies and advocate for changes that benefit the health of the public. The following answers address an assignment on population health advocacy and the role of nurses and healthcare professionals in shaping health care policy.
1. Describe the policy issue, policy problem of interest or a particular bill that your legislator has introduced.
The legislator that I have chosen is involved in the committee on mental health, and there is a new bill being introduced that aims to increase funding for mental health programs in low-income communities. The bill seeks to address the lack of access to mental health services for vulnerable populations and also provide funding for community-based mental health programs.
2. Elaborate on why the policy matters and what you can possibly do to strengthen the policy?
Mental health is an important aspect of overall health, and the lack of access to mental health services can have a significant impact on individual and community well-being. By increasing funding for mental health programs, the policy can help address the disparities in mental health care access and improve health outcomes. As a healthcare professional and advocate, I can play a role in raising awareness about the importance of mental health care access and advocating for increased funding for mental health programs.
3. Briefly define the role you would play as an advocate for the healthcare consumer and healthcare professionals.
As an advocate, my role would be to raise awareness of the benefits of the proposed policy and the positive impact it could have on healthcare consumers and healthcare professionals. My advocacy efforts would involve collaboration with other healthcare professionals and stakeholders to build a coalition to support the bill.
4. Explain how the policy impacts the public at large or a particular population.
The policy impacts the public at large by providing access to mental health services for vulnerable populations that otherwise would not have access to such services. It can also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and promote awareness of the importance of mental healthcare. This policy can particularly benefit low-income families that do not have the means to access private mental health services.
5. What stakeholders would you collaborate with to promote the cause?
I would collaborate with mental health professionals, community health centers, advocacy groups, and policymakers to promote the cause. Mental health professionals and community health centers have first-hand experience working with the population and understanding their needs. Advocacy groups can help raise awareness and build support for the policy, while policymakers can introduce legislation and make decisions on funding. Collaboration with these stakeholders can ensure a comprehensive approach to promoting the policy.
