The primary deliverable for this course is an 2500-3000 (+/- 10%) word paper on your chosen healthpolicy/health equity topic. This assignment consists of two parts:Part 1: Policy BriefYour policy brief (2000-2500 words) will include:1. Title Page (Title, honor pledge, word counts of: the executive summary, brief, and equity analysis.The citations list doesn’t count in your word count)2. Executive Summary (does not factor into total paper length or % below; max 200 words; mustinclude a concise summary of the most pertinent facts about your issue, a brief overview of thepolicy proposals, and a final recommendation)3. Introduction/ Background (about 10% of paper length)Introduce the topic (This policy brief examines…). Place the policy problem in BRIEF historical and/orcontemporary context and explain why it is policy relevant.4. Identification of Policy Problem (about 20% of paper length)Write a clear statement of policy problem to be addressed in the brief and supported by anyempirical data that might quantify the magnitude of this policy problem. This section shouldincorporate a brief discussion of who the key stakeholders are with respect to the problem.PUBH 748Rev. 2021-04-21 135. Discussion and Analysis of the Key Policy Options (about 40% of paper length)Explore and analyze two policy options. Please include evidence-based analysis of advantages anddisadvantages of available policy options, including how each option would affect keystakeholders.6. Recommendations and Conclusions (about 20% of paper length)Using quality, substance, and logic, write final recommendation and offer conclusion. Therecommendation should be an analysis of why the option you select is better than the other andshould articulate what factors you considered in making that recommendation.7. List of ReferencesYou should use at least five appropriate sources; ensure all citations are in APA format and have live,clickable links.Part II: AddendumIn the remaining 500-1000 words, describe the following:1) Which public health values you prioritized in developing a solution to your problem2) What policy trade-offs, if any, you found difficult to make and why?3) With respect to the policy option you recommenda. how does your policy solution advance social justice?b. what ongoing equity concerns would you have, if any, even after the implementation of yourproposed policy?
Health Topic: Black Maternal/Infant Mortality in Harris County, Texas
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Introduction:
The chosen health policy/health equity topic for this paper is Black Maternal/Infant Mortality in Harris County, Texas. This policy brief aims to address the critical issue of the disproportionately high maternal and infant mortality rates among Black individuals in Harris County. The paper will provide a comprehensive analysis of the problem, explore and evaluate two policy options, offer a final recommendation, and discuss the public health values prioritized in developing a solution. Additionally, the paper will address the policy trade-offs encountered and examine how the recommended policy solution advances social justice while considering ongoing equity concerns.
Answer to Part 1: Policy Brief:
The policy brief for the Black Maternal/Infant Mortality in Harris County, Texas will consist of the following sections:
1. Title Page:
The title page will include the title of the policy brief, an honor pledge, and word counts for the executive summary, brief, and equity analysis.
2. Executive Summary:
The executive summary will provide a concise summary of the most relevant facts about the issue, an overview of the policy proposals, and a final recommendation. It should not exceed 200 words and will not factor into the total paper length or percentage.
3. Introduction/Background:
The introduction section will constitute approximately 10% of the paper length. It will introduce the topic by stating, “This policy brief examines the issue of Black Maternal/Infant Mortality in Harris County, Texas.” It will provide a brief historical and/or contemporary context to explain the policy’s relevance.
4. Identification of Policy Problem:
The identification of the policy problem will make up around 20% of the paper length. It will present a clear statement of the policy problem and include empirical data, if available, to quantify the magnitude of this problem. This section will also discuss the key stakeholders associated with the problem.
5. Discussion and Analysis of the Key Policy Options:
Approximately 40% of the paper length will be dedicated to exploring and analyzing two policy options. This section will provide evidence-based analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each policy option, along with an assessment of their impact on key stakeholders.
6. Recommendations and Conclusions:
This section will comprise around 20% of the paper length. It will present the final recommendation and offer a conclusion. The recommendation will explain why the selected policy option is superior to the other and detail the factors considered in making that recommendation.
7. List of References:
A list of at least five appropriate sources will be provided in APA format with live, clickable links. The reference list does not count towards the word limit.
Answer to Part 2: Addendum:
The addendum, consisting of 500-1000 words, will address the following:
1) Public Health Values:
Describe the public health values prioritized during the development of a solution to the identified problem. Explain how these values influenced the chosen policy option and its potential impact on improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
2) Policy Trade-offs:
Discuss any policy trade-offs encountered during the policy development process. Reflect on the difficulties faced in making these trade-offs and provide reasons for the selected choices.
3) Ongoing Equity Concerns:
With respect to the recommended policy option, discuss how it advances social justice. Analyze any lingering equity concerns that may persist even after the implementation of the proposed policy. Consider the potential impact on different demographic groups and strategies to address any disparities.
Conclusion:
This policy brief and addendum on Black Maternal/Infant Mortality in Harris County, Texas aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the issue, policy options, and recommendations. The paper also addresses public health values, policy trade-offs, and ongoing equity concerns. By examining the problem in-depth and proposing evidence-based solutions, it is hoped that this policy brief will contribute to reducing the disproportionate maternal and infant mortality rates among Black individuals in Harris County.
