- Review this document — https://www.changelabsolutions.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Equitable_Enforcement_to_Achieve_Health_Equity-GUIDE-ACCESSIBLE_FINAL_20200610.pdf.
- Skim the entire document, but read pages 11-15 carefully.
- Find a news article that relates to an example of inequitable enforcement (either over-enforcement or under-enforcement). Explain why the topic discussed in the article presents an issue of inequitable enforcement.
- Discuss how the underlying policy concern could be addressed or enforced in a way that reduces the inequitable impacts you identified. Refer back to the assigned readings for this week in your answer.
- Upload your answers as a Word document or PDF. Be sure that your answers include a link to the news article you discuss. Your combined answers should be no more than two pages double-spaced.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The document “Equitable Enforcement to Achieve Health Equity-Guide” outlines the importance of equitable enforcement for achieving health equity. This assignment requires reviewing the document and finding a news article that relates to an example of inequitable enforcement. In this response, I provide an answer to each question in the assignment.
1. What is the importance of equitable enforcement for achieving health equity?
Equitable enforcement is important for achieving health equity because it ensures that laws, policies, and regulations are enforced fairly and without bias against any population group. Health equity can only be achieved if all individuals have equal access to the conditions that promote health, such as safe housing, clean air, and healthy food. If enforcement is not equitable, certain populations may be disproportionately affected by negative health outcomes.
2. What is the significance of pages 11-15 of the document “Equitable Enforcement to Achieve Health Equity-Guide”?
Pages 11-15 of the document “Equitable Enforcement to Achieve Health Equity-Guide” discuss the importance of community engagement in equitable enforcement. It highlights the importance of involving community members in the development and implementation of policies and regulations. It also discusses the benefits of community partnerships in achieving equitable enforcement.
3. Find a news article that relates to an example of inequitable enforcement (either over-enforcement or under-enforcement). Explain why the topic discussed in the article presents an issue of inequitable enforcement.
Link to the news article: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-speed-vaccine-rollout-wealthy-floridians-cuts-line-others-n1254138
The news article titled “Police speed the vaccine rollout for wealthy Floridians, cutting the line for others” presents an issue of inequitable enforcement. The article reports that police officers, firefighters, and politicians in Florida, who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, received it due to their connections or wealthy status. This incident highlights the issue of over-enforcement, where those in positions of power are given preferential treatment, while those who are most vulnerable are left waiting.
4. Discuss how the underlying policy concern could be addressed or enforced in a way that reduces the inequitable impacts you identified. Refer back to the assigned readings for this week in your answer.
To address the issue of inequitable enforcement highlighted in the news article, policymakers can consider implementing policies that prioritize the most vulnerable populations for the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, they could allocate a certain percentage of vaccine doses specifically for low-income communities, the elderly, and frontline workers. Additionally, community engagement could be utilized to identify those who are most at risk and ensure that they have equitable access to the vaccine. The importance of community engagement and partnerships is highlighted in the “Equitable Enforcement to Achieve Health Equity-Guide” document on pages 11-15. By involving community stakeholders in the development and implementation of policies, policymakers can better address the needs of vulnerable populations and reduce the inequitable impacts of over-enforcement.