Using a Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve the Public’s Health
In a Microsoft Word document of 2-3 pages formatted in APA style, you will focus on the methods to develop a change in policy to improve the public’s health by using a health policy model.
Suppose you want to initiate a policy of taxing sugared sodas/pop/beverages in your community. In your paper, address each of the following criteria:
Use the Longest policy cycle model to structure your proposed policy.
What arguments would you use to make the case for the policy?
What argument(s) would your opponents make?
How would you go about getting buy-in for your proposed policy?
What stakeholder groups need to be involved in promoting your policy?
Sample Paper
Introduction
When it comes to establishing new laws or regulations to promote public health, changing policies can be a critical component of the plan. Policies that promote health and illness prevention are inherently intertwined with one another. As a result, they provide prospects for widespread and long-lasting improvements in public health, which is urgently needed at this time. A shocking amount of stress is placed on society by sugary foods (Makarem et al., 2018). A high sugar diet can result in cardiac disease, including heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, among other things. Because of this, there is a pressing need to put in place a policy that taxes sugary beverages in order to lower the risk of chronic infections. This paper discusses a policy change to initiate sugar food taxation.
The Longest Policy Cycle Model
Formulation, implementation, and modification are three phases of the longest policy cycle. During the first stage, policies are designed, the agenda is determined, and policy is drafted (O’Grady, 2018). It is at this stage that I will also set the policy’s objectives and advise lawmakers of my plans. In this case, sugary drinks, such as sodas, pop, and beverages, will be subject to taxes under the new policy framework. The regulations are to be developed during the second phase of the project (O’Grady, 2018). This will involve going into further depth about the regulations in this section to make the proposal more clear. Some of the regulations will include a fifty percent levy on all sugary beverages, sodas, and pops, a ten thousand dollars fine for whoever violates this law among others. During the final step, I will gather and analyze comments in order to make any required adjustments.
Arguments for the Policy Case
In order to make my policy appear more credible, I will gather evidence-based information on the adverse impacts of sugary beverages on the general public. In addition, I will create a survey and send it to adults in order to get their perspectives on the accessibility of sugared beverages to children under the age of eighteen. To conclude, I will compile scientific study data and findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight the serious consequences that sugary beverages have on people’s health. Lastly, I will point out that increased taxes have an impact on the attitude of manufacturers toward advertising and marketing their products.
Opponents Arguments
In contrast, the opposing side will argue that they already have a levy imposed on their goods as justification for not increasing taxes. Furthermore, manufacturers will point to the fact that individuals are free to pick what they eat as justification for their opinion. In addition, opponents will be critical of the policy’s high taxing and penalty, which they believe are excessive. However, I will have enough evidence to convince lawmakers on the importance of the policy change.
Getting Buy-in for the Policy
The following strategies will be employed to persuade lawmakers to support my change. First and foremost, I will “tailor the pitch”. My audience’s values will be taken into consideration, and the policy will be written such that it is in line with those values. The second option is to present the issue in the most succinct and straightforward manner possible (Ashford & Detert, 2018). The next step will be to anticipate the opposing arguments of my opponents and time the announcement of my proposed policy accordingly.
Stakeholders
Citizens, policymakers, and the manufacturers of sugared beverages will be the main stakeholders. Citizens will represent those affected by sugary sodas, pops, and beverages. Opposing views would be expressed by the manufacturers of sugared beverages. Members of the legislative branch are expected to thoroughly examine the proposal and back the initiative.
Conclusion
It might be difficult to modify a healthcare policy, but it can be made simpler by using the longest model. Many people’s lives will be improved as a result of this initiative, which is certain to be a huge success in reducing cardiac disease, including heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, among other things.
References
Ashford, S. J., & Detert, J. R. (2015). Get the boss to buy-in. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2015/01/get-the-boss-to-buy-in.
Makarem, N., Bandera, E. V., Nicholson, J. M., & Parekh, N. (2018). Consumption of sugars, sugary foods, and sugary beverages in relation to cancer risk: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Annual review of nutrition, 38, 17-39. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-nutr-082117-051805
O’Grady, E. T. (2016). The policy process. Policy & politics in nursing and health care. Pp. 61-72).
