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 worth
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: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ or use the website of your choice. Explore some of the issues and committees your legislators are involved in and select at least one that interests you or aligns 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 minimum 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 a medical professor, it is important to foster the development of advocates for population health who can influence public policy. In this assignment, students are asked to identify an issue they care about and use it as a case study to explore the role healthcare professionals can play in advocating for change.
1. Describe the policy issue, policy problem of interest or a particular bill that your legislator has introduced.
The policy issue I am interested in is the lack of access to affordable and quality healthcare in low-income communities. Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced a bill called the “Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act,” which aims to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and expand access to affordable healthcare for people living in poverty.
2. Elaborate on why the policy matters and what you can possibly do to strengthen the policy?
This policy matters because healthcare is a basic human right and is essential to improving population health. The cost of healthcare is a significant barrier for low-income families, leading to preventable illnesses and chronic diseases. As healthcare professionals, we can support this policy by advocating for it through our professional organizations, participating in community outreach programs and educating our patients on the importance of accessing affordable healthcare services.
3. Briefly define the role you would play as an advocate for the healthcare consumer and healthcare professionals.
As an advocate for healthcare consumers, my role would be to educate the public about their rights to access affordable and quality healthcare. Additionally, I would work to raise awareness about the benefits of preventative care and how it can save money in the long run. As an advocate for healthcare professionals, my role would be to support our efforts in delivering high-quality care to low-income communities by promoting policies that improve access and reduce health disparities.
4. Explain how the policy impacts the public at large or a particular population.
This policy impacts the public at large, especially those in low-income communities who may not have access to affordable healthcare options. By reducing the cost of prescription drugs, this policy can provide more people with the medications they need to manage their health conditions. Additionally, by improving access to quality healthcare services, this policy can help prevent illnesses and reduce healthcare costs in the long run.
5. What stakeholders would you collaborate with to promote the cause?
To promote this cause, I would collaborate with community health organizations, social workers, faith-based organizations, and other healthcare professionals. It is important to engage a wide range of stakeholders to build a coalition of support for this policy and ensure its success. By working together, we can create a healthier and more equitable society.
Conclusion:
Advocacy is a crucial component of population health, and healthcare professionals have an important role to play in shaping public policy. By advocating for policies that promote access to quality and affordable healthcare services, we can work to improve the health of the communities we serve.