Identify a specific public health policy at the state level. Federal policies such as the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, or Social Security, etc. are not appropriate for this assignment. You can find state-level policies by visiting the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) website and searching the 50-State Searchable Bill Tracking Database by topic for enacted policies, or visiting your state legislature website. You will then search for statutes or policies in that state.
This assignment has two parts: A diagram/flowchart and a narrative.
Diagram or Flowchart
Visually illustrate how your chosen health policy became law. The flow chart should include a historical timeline from the introduction of the policy to its implementation. You can use a diagram or flowchart development tools available through Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, or Excel.
Narrative
Develop a short narrative (500-750 words) that describes the expected effects of the health care policy on specific health outcomes. Describe how this policy influences community and individual health. Is the state policy new or not yet implemented? Explain the intended impact of this policy. If the policy has been implemented, describe its impact.
General Requirements
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines,
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: This assignment requires identifying a specific public health policy at the state level and creating a visual illustration of the policy’s historical timeline and its impact on specific health outcomes. The narrative should describe the intended impact of the policy and its influence on community and individual health.
Answer: The state-level public health policy selected for this assignment is California’s Tobacco Free Schools Act (TFSA) of 2008. The goal of this act is to protect students, teachers, and staff from harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure and to establish stricter enforcement measures to deter the use of tobacco products on school grounds. The policy prohibits smoking within 25 feet of school grounds and functions, banning all tobacco and nicotine products, including chewing tobacco, snuff, and electronic cigarettes.
Diagram or Flowchart: The TFSA was introduced in California by state legislators who recognized the need to limit tobacco use on school grounds. The bill was then reviewed and analyzed by relevant committees of the California legislature, amended several times, and approved by both the State Assembly and Senate before being sent to the Governor for signature. Finally, after the bill was signed by the Governor, regulatory agencies were tasked with enforcing the law and ensuring compliance.
Narrative: The TFSA has several expected effects on specific health outcomes. The act aims to reduce the negative physical effects of secondhand smoke exposure on students and staff, such as bronchitis, asthma, and lung cancer. The policy also intends to reduce the number of youth who start smoking or using tobacco products, thereby reducing the likelihood of addiction and long-term health issues. Since the enactment of the TFSA, more schools have been adopting tobacco-free policies and increasing educational programs to educate students about the benefits of living a tobacco-free lifestyle. As a result, there has been a decline in tobacco use in several schools across California.
The TFSA influences the community and individual health in various ways. For the community, the policy promotes healthy lifestyles and reduces the burden of illness and medical costs associated with tobacco use. Furthermore, a tobacco-free school environment sends a strong message to the community that tobacco and smoking are not acceptable, and students can learn to make informed decisions about the dangers of tobacco use. Individually, the TFSA provides students and staff with a safer and healthier environment in which they can learn and work.
In conclusion, the TFSA is a state-level public health policy that aims to protect students, teachers, and staff from harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products. The policy has been effective in reducing tobacco use in schools and creating a healthier learning environment. Further education and awareness programs could be beneficial in encouraging more schools to adopt a tobacco-free policy.
