Heath Care Questions - Assignment Example

Health Care Questions: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Name: Student ID: Institution: Heath Care Questions 1. Why is a policy cycle an appropriate tool for developing a new policy? According to Thissen (2013), many scholars have proposed different steps in the development of new policies. However, two theorists, including Bridgman and Davis, formulated a policy cycle that has proved to be reliable and effective in developing new policies. Firstly, unlike other models of policy formulation, the policy cycle presents a normative and descriptive approach that tends to contextualize the policy making process. Secondly, it gives basic elements that should be incorporated in the policy making procedure, even if they do not follow an affirmative sequence, by providing a systematic approach in the thinking process. Recently, policy makers have noted that the policy cycle prevents mistakes encountered in other policy making models (Mccann & Ortega-Argilés, 2013). For that reason, it brings intellectual rigor to the formulation and analysis of new policies. Consequently, it is true to state that a good procedural approach leads to the formation of viable policies. Thirdly, a policy cycle is important to anybody interested in the process of formulating policies, including bureaucrats (Thissen, 2013). It gives the exact points in the policy making process where a particular activity should take place. For example, a political activist may find it beneficial than the other policy formulation models because it gives access to the points of the policy making process where expertise is required. It provides an environment that is free from the authoritative control of political executives and bureaucrats (Dodgson, Hughes, Foster, & Metcalfe, 2011). Finally, the policy cycle simplifies the Rationale Comprehensive Model (RCM) that focuses on something that is purely rational and follows the ‘advocacy coalition framework’ which focuses on participants of the policy making process. For that reason, the policy cycle combines the aspects of two quality models of policy making. This makes it an appropriate tool for formulating and implementing new policies in health care systems (Lin, 2012). 3. How does the ‘new public health’ differ from the old public health approach? The new public health approach is better than the old one in that it promotes health advances and the heritage of the previous years (Watkins & Cousins, 2010). It has been amended in respect to knowledge advancement, increment of human concerns, and upcoming threats to health. Moreover, the difference between the new and the old public health approaches is not the novelty of strategies used for the promotion of health conditions, but the improvement of previous core principles to address the current threats (Rufai, 2013). The new public health approach clearly defines the philosophical foundation of the current public health system; this results in an excellent monitoring of public health responsibilities and safe foundation for funding. In addition, the new approach clearly defines public health staff and their roles, which facilitates unity within the sector. It values health workers more than social change advocates. The previous eras over-relied on hierarchical structures and did not fully recognize employees in the public health sector. Additionally, the initial reference of public health as a global issue preceding primary medical care was not accurate. The previous approach mainly reflected on the opinions of empire states than the realism outside the empire spheres. Most of their ideologies proved not to work outside the affluent in various societies (Christensen, 2011). The failure to implement primary health care in the old approach led to the difficulties in the development of a successful global public health framework. Finally, the current world is characterized by intractable issues, such as poverty, global inequality, new diseases and infections, and constant conflicts, which are difficult to address using the old public health approach. An improved outline has been developed, which has assisted in disease prevention, and saves lives at the local level using affordable measures and techniques (Friis, 2011). In addition, it has facilitated a worldwide prophylaxis campaign against contagious diseases. 4. What are key sociological issues and how do they determine a person’s state of health? According to Proust and Fincham (2013), sociological issues refer to economic and social factors that determine the health status of an individual in the society. They encompass risk conditions that a person experiences either at work or home. The key factors, according to the World Health Organization include social gradient, early childhood development, unemployment, addiction, social support networks, availability healthy food and infrastructure, social exclusion, and stress. These factors either increase or reduce the exposure of an individual to infections and diseases. Sociologists suggest that these factors are created by public policies that replicate the existing political principles of the people in power (Barnard, 2011). There are different explanations on how these factors contribute to the health status of an individual. Firstly, the United States Center for Disease Control explains that the social factors act as resources that enhance life. The distribution of these resources effectively determines the quality and length of an individual’s life. It encompasses the accessibility to crucial needs, such as better health care. The lack of better health care may lead to preventable deaths. Secondly, these factors influence health-promoting habits and behaviors. An individual’s behavior plays an important part in determining their health. A person with low social status is prone to practice unhealthy behaviors as a means of survival. For example, such persons may engage in immorality and prostitution, which increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. On the contrary, individuals of high social status are more likely to practice healthy behaviors, which reduces their exposure to such diseases. Moreover, research shows that stress is one of the main factors that cause the high rate of mortality in the low socio-economic class. Stress results from struggles to fulfill human wants. It leads to high build up of cortisol that increases the heartbeat and later develops into high blood pressure and heart complications (Cramme, 2012). 5. What is meant by the term ‘power’ in policy development and change? The term ‘power’ refers to the ability of either an individual or group to achieve a set goal in policy development. The set goal in this context refers to the notion of doing something substantial. Moreover, in the policy development process, power brings a relational sense where one individual has a higher command over the others (Light & Lexchin, 2012). Consequently, in exercising power, individual A commands individual B to perform a given activity that B would not have performed in the absence of A. Individual A obtains power in three different ways. These three ways are collectively termed as either the three dimensions or faces of power. They include power in the form of thought control, power in decision making, and power in the form of non-decision making (Alaszewski & Brown, 2012). Firstly, as a tool of decision making, power focuses mainly on the deeds of groups and individuals that determine the decisions in policy development. In this regard, it can be exercised by individual A in a situation that requires energy to create and reinforce political, social, and institutional values. These values limit the context of policy development to the considerations favored by individual A. In addition, it can act as an agenda-setting initiative, where it describes the process by which powerful individuals control the policy development agenda to hide impending threats. Secondly, as a non-decision making tool, power limits the context of the policy decision making process. The tool maintains the process and scope of safe issues by manipulating pre-existing myths, political institutions, and community values. Finally, as a thought control tool, power reinforces the ability of an individual to manipulate and command others (Ball & Ball, 2013). It achieves this effect by shaping the interests and preferences of other people. For example, individual A influences the action of individual B by enticement, which goes against the latter’s interests. 6. What policy considerations should be included in a national obesity health campaign? Obesity has emerged as a modern health pandemic. Apart from the health risks and complications involved, obese people suffer from daily discrimination and stigma. It poses dangerous implications to their already delicate physical health status (Beaglehole & Bonita, 2011). However, despite the extensive research that has been conducted on the issue, the public health sector has ignored crucial aspects in the national obesity policy. Little has been done to counter the stigma and discrimination associated with the disorder. Moreover, the discriminators justify their actions in a move to motivate obese individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles. For that reason, the national obesity campaign should incline on health promoting considerations. Firstly, the campaign should mobilize the government, both local and national levels, to provide policies and leadership that aims at preventing obesity among individuals (Wakefield, Loken, & Hornik, 2010). The obesity prevention process should be treated as a main priority of public health. Secondly, governmental and non-governmental organizations should assess the current agricultural policies. They should determine policy subsidies directed on the types and quantities of foodstuffs accessible to children and young adults. Thirdly, the government should create independent committees that determine the current dietary quality of some foods. Moreover, the existing public health programs should involve obesity prevention as a precise goal for the welfare of the society. It should ensure that healthy dietary choices, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables and proteins among others, are accessed by the whole population. Fourthly, the campaign should provide programs that support physical fitness and healthy nutrition among all persons. Additionally, these programs should target populations with high vulnerability in relation to obesity. They should design these programs to ensure that they are favorable and responsive to all genders. Finally, the campaign should carry out constant population surveys to monitor the implementation of the recommended programs. The relevant experts should also be involved in assessing the efficiency of the programs and identifying areas of weakness (Swinburn et al., 2011). 7. If you were to create a new policy to develop a smoke free environment for the university what are at least 4 factors you would include and why? A smoke-free environment policy provides formal explanations to all workers as to why the organization has adopted such a system. It outlines the responsibilities to be executed by all parties in safeguarding the policy (Procter-Scherdtel & Collins, 2013). In addition, it alerts all workers and visitors of the organization on the ultimate penalty for the violation of the policy. There are key factors involved in formulating a smoke-free policy. Firstly, the policy should have a management approval. The management’s approval plays a vital role in the process of forming and implementing the policy. It brings the notion of leadership and commitment to the process. Managerial leaders positively influence the attitude of the workers to appreciate any changes introduced to the working environment. It is important to seek the managers’ consent on the policy and set clear purposes of the policy (Bonehill, 2010). In addition, it will be easier to address the potential non-compliance instances that are associated with the implementation of the policy. Secondly, it is vital to establish a committee that will oversee the formulation and implementation of a smoke-free policy. Additionally, an individual team should be created to manage the implementation protocols. The committees should ensure that the workers’ views are represented in the policy formulation process. Thirdly, the policy team should set up a program for educating and training the workers on the new policy. This will help increase the understanding of the new policy, significantly reducing non-compliance cases. Finally, the policy should have a calendar that outlines the activities to be followed in the implementation and review processes. This will give a prior countdown to the official implementation date; consequently, this will give workers enough time to prepare for its realization (Rummler & Brache, 2012). Moreover, the timeline gives the committee ample time to improve the quality of the policy before it is published. References Alaszewski, A., & Brown, P. (2012). Making health policy: A critical introduction. Cambridge, MA: Polity. Ball, P. M., & Ball, M. (2013). Housing policy and economic power: The political economy of owner occupation. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor and Francis. Barnard, A. (2011). Key themes in health and social care a companion to learning. London, UK: Routledge. Beaglehole, R., & Bonita, R. (2011). Priority actions for the non-communicable disease crisis: Authors' reply. The Lancet, 378(9791), 565-566. Bonehill, J. A. (2010). Managing health and safety in the dental practice a practical guide. Chichester, West Sussex: Blackwell Pub. Christensen, T. (2011). The Ashgate research companion to new public management. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate. Cramme, O. (2012). After the third way the future of social democracy in Europe. London, UK: I.B.Tauris. 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