NRS428 Week 4 Assignment Benchmark – Policy Brief
The benchmark assesses the following competencies:
1.4 Participate in health care policy development to influence nursing practice and health care.
Research public health issues on the “Climate Change” or “Topics and Issues” pages of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website. Investigate a public health issue related to an environmental issue within the U.S. health care delivery system and examine its effect on a specific population.
Write a 750-1,000-word policy brief that summarizes the issue, explains the effect on the population, and proposes a solution to the issue.
Follow this outline when writing the policy brief: Benchmark – Policy Brief
Describe the policy health issue. Include the following information: (a) what population is affected, (b) at what level does it occur (local, state, or national), and (c) evidence about the issues supported by resources.
Create a problem statement.
Provide suggestions for addressing the health issue caused by the current policy. Describe what steps are required to initiate policy change. Include necessary stakeholders Benchmark – Policy Brief (government officials, administrator) and budget or funding considerations, if applicable.
Discuss the impact on the health care delivery system.
Include three peer-reviewed sources and two other sources to support the policy brief.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
HERE IS SAMPLE ANSWER
Policy Brief: Addressing Climate Change and its Impact on Vulnerable Populations
Introduction:
Climate change poses a significant public health challenge, impacting populations across the United States. This policy brief aims to address the health issue caused by climate change, focusing on its effects on vulnerable populations and proposing solutions to mitigate these impacts.
Policy Health Issue:
Climate change affects individuals of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic locations. However, vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, Benchmark – Policy Brief, racial and ethnic minorities, children, and the elderly, are disproportionately impacted. Climate change-related health issues occur at the national level, with varying degrees of severity across different regions of the country.
Evidence from the American Public Health Association (APHA) indicates that climate change contributes to an increase in extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires, leading to injuries, deaths, and displacement of populations. Additionally, climate change exacerbates air pollution, leading to respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns impact food and water security, increasing the risk of malnutrition and waterborne diseases.
Problem Statement:
The current policy approach to addressing climate change is inadequate in protecting vulnerable populations from its adverse health effects. Existing policies lack sufficient funding and fail to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, exacerbating health disparities and inequalities.
Suggestions for Addressing the Health Issue:
To address the health issue caused by climate change, policymakers must prioritize the following actions:
- Implementing Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Benchmark – Policy Brief Policymakers should enact legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from major sources such as transportation, energy production, and industrial activities. This may include incentivizing renewable energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and regulating emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Benchmark – Policy Brief
- Enhancing Resilience and Adaptation Measures: Governments at all levels should invest in resilience and adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. This may involve improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, developing early warning systems, and providing resources for emergency preparedness and response Benchmark – Policy Brief.
- Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Policymakers should address underlying social determinants of health, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to healthcare, which exacerbate the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. This may include expanding access to healthcare services, improving affordable housing options, and investing in education and job training programs.
Initiating policy change requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, healthcare providers, environmental advocates, and industry representatives. Policymakers must allocate sufficient funding and resources to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, prioritizing the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
Impact on the Health Care Delivery System:
Climate change poses significant challenges to the health care delivery system, including increased demand for healthcare services due to climate-related illnesses and injuries, strain on healthcare infrastructure during extreme weather events, and disruption of healthcare supply chains. Benchmark – Policy Brief Addressing climate change is essential to ensure the resilience and sustainability of the healthcare delivery system and to protect the health of all Americans.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, climate change poses a serious threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations in the United States. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive policy solutions that prioritize equity, resilience, and sustainability. By taking proactive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience and adaptation, and address social determinants of health, policymakers can protect the health and well-being of all Americans in the face of climate change.
References:
- American Public Health Association. (n.d.). Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/climate-change
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/Benchmark – Policy Brief
- Watts, N., Amann, M., Arnell, N., Ayeb-Karlsson, S., Belesova, K., Berry, H., … & Mikhaylov, S. (2019). The 2019 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: ensuring that the health of a child born today is not defined by a changing climate. Benchmark – Policy Brief The Lancet, 394(10211), 1836-1878.