NR551 Week 5 Assignment Healthcare Policy Analysis

NR551 Week 5 Assignment Healthcare Policy Analysis

NR551 Week 5 Assignment Healthcare Policy Analysis

Introduction

All communities deserve disease-free lives to live productively and healthily. Despite this universal wish, health problems, including mental disorders, continue to affect health outcomes adversely in many communities. Among many interventions, health policies establish guidelines for improving health outcomes for individuals, communities, or the entire healthcare system. The purpose of this presentation is to explore a healthcare issue in my local community that can be addressed through a health policy. The first major section is a problem statement that explains the issue and the importance of intervening through a health policy. Other vital sections include the problem’s background and landscape, policy options, and the most appropriate solution (recommendations).

Problem Statement

The problem that deserves maximum attention from healthcare professionals and stakeholders is obesity. It is a severe public health concern due to its high prevalence and the potential of impacting health multi-dimensionally. A significant number of mental disorders can be prevented by obesity control and management. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) reported that obesity prevalence in the United States was 41.9% between 2017 and 2020. Health policy is crucial to prevent the loss of productivity and well-being associated with obesity. Since health policies promote health in communities, a similar response will be instrumental in protecting the community from mental disorders and chronic diseases.

Background

A critical reflection of the problem of obesity in my local community shows that the progressive change in lifestyle patterns is the primary cause. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) also confirmed a positive link between lifestyle and obesity by stating that changes in eating and physical activity patterns are the major causes of obesity. The other causes include illnesses and medications since depression is a risk factor for obesity, and steroids may cause weight gain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022; Blasco et al., 2020). The implication is that optimal mental health cannot be achieved without addressing the obesity problem. Worse, chronic diseases increase as the obesity rates increase, further increasing healthcare spending.

Landscape

As a public health concern, obesity is a multidimensional problem. It is multidimensional since its causes, effects, and solutions are diverse. A close reflection of its severity and impacts on the community shows that obesity affects all populations. However, ethnic minorities record the highest prevalence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Health statistics show that obesity rates are likely to continue. Therefore, more people will be affected hence the need for sustainable solutions. It is also crucial to note that obesity hampers nurses’ health and well-being. Generally, the increase in chronic conditions and mental disorders is a leading cause of increased hospital visits (Blasco et al., 2020). As a result, nurses’ workload increases proportionately, exposing them to fatigue and possible burnout.

Options

Numerous policy options can effectively address the obesity problem in the community. The first option is intensive community-wide health education. People should be educated on healthy living and the connection between lifestyles and adverse health outcomes. This requires collaboration between healthcare practitioners and community partners. The other intervention is legislation, including banning fast food advertisements and regulating fast food outlets. It could be an effective strategy since banning fast food advertisements reduces consumption (Wise, 2022). The addition of healthcare professionals in the community health centers is another viable option to help the current workforce address obesity proactively and reactively. Obesity prevention programs such as healthy eating can be implemented in education settings to prevent childhood obesity.

Recommendations

Among the options evaluated and their potential impacts, the most effective include banning fast food advertisements and regulating the number of fast food outlets. Chung et al. (2021) found that unhealthy marketing strategies, such as fast food promotion, influence attitudes and consumption of unhealthy foods. As a result, restricting such promotion would effectively influence healthy eating. The policy intervention is highly effective since it is a legal intervention. Therefore, the chances of success and quick implementation are high. Secondly, banning fast food advertisements is an evidence-based intervention for obesity management. Current research (Chung et al., 2021; Wise, 2022) has found it effective at all levels. Importantly, the policy can be sustained since it is relatively inexpensive to implement.

Summary

Obesity is a significant public health concern that requires a multifaceted approach. It hampers the health and well-being of the entire population and adversely impacts healthcare professionals’ ability to offer optimal health. Policy interventions include legislation, the addition of community health providers, and health education programs. Among them, legislation (laws) that bans fast food advertisements and limits the number of fast food outlets would help to address the obesity menace. Addressing obesity implies success in mental health promotion since obesity is a risk factor for depression. It would also help to reduce chronic diseases and the rising healthcare spending, among other much-needed outcomes.

NR551 Week 5 Assignment Healthcare Policy Analysis References

• Blasco, B. V., García-Jiménez, J., Bodoano, I., & Gutiérrez-Rojas, L. (2020). Obesity and depression: Its prevalence and influence as a prognostic factor: a systematic review. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(8), 715-724. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0099
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Causes of obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/causes.html
• Chung, A., Zorbas, C., Riesenberg, D., Sartori, A., Kennington, K., Ananthapavan, J., & Backholer, K. (2022). Policies to restrict unhealthy food and beverage advertising in outdoor spaces and on publicly owned assets: a scoping review of the literature. Obesity Reviews, 23(2), e13386. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13386
• Wise, J. (2022). Junk food advertising bans do help reduce obesity, say researchers. BMJ2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1930

The Healthcare Policy Analysis assignment is due by Sunday,
11:59 p.m. (MT) at the end of Week 5. The guidelines and grading rubric for
this assignment are located in the course resource section.

This assignment will analyze a current policy using a
framework focused on healthcare policy. After identifying a healthcare policy
or law initiative you wish to evaluate, utilize the framework provided in the
course resource section as a guide. Research the policy and provide citations
and references in APA format while filling in the table.

Additionally, the Library NR 551 LibGuide (Links to an
external site.)Links to an external site. is an excellent resource for your
research.

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to: a) thoroughly examine a
healthcare policy using a policy analysis framework and describe each section
of the content policy analysis, b) evaluate healthcare policy for processes of
political feasibility, economic viability, and ethics/values, c) present ideas
in a clear, succinct and scholarly manner.

Course Outcomes

This assignment enables the student to meet the following
course outcomes:

(CO#2) Evaluate healthcare laws and policies that impact
patient outcomes and nursing practice (PO 1-5)

(CO#5) Evaluate the
relationship among nursing practice, healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy
development. ( PO 1-5)

Due Date

Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT end of Week 5

Students are given the opportunity to request an extension
on assignments for emergent situations. Supporting documentation must be
submitted to the assigned faculty. If the student’s request is not approved,
the assignment is graded and a late penalty is applied as follows:

Monday = 10% of total possible point reduction

Tuesday = 20% of total possible point reduction

Wednesday = 30% of total possible point reduction

If the student’s request is approved, the student will be
informed of the revised due date. Should the student fail to meet the revised
due date, the assignment is graded and a late penalty is applied as follows:

Monday = 10% of total possible point reduction

Tuesday = 20% of total possible point reduction

Wednesday = 30% of total possible point reduction

Total Points Possible 250

Requirements

Assignment Criteria for the Paper:

Search current healthcare policy/law initiatives involving
nursing and choose an initiative to evaluate. The Week 3 lesson/lecture
provides many websites for agencies and organizations involved in healthcare
policy and law as well as websites for current legislation.

Research the policy.

Briefly describe each of the eight sections of policy
content analysis using the healthcare policy framework table.

Briefly describe each of the three sections of policy
process analysis using the healthcare policy framework table.

Provide a minimum of two scholarly references in APA 6th
edition format.

Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work.

Preparing the Paper

Include a minimum of two (2) current references published
within the past five (5) years not including your textbook. References may include scholarly websites of
organizations or government agencies and must be presented using APA 6th
edition format for electronic media.

NR551 Healthcare Systems, Politics,
and Policy

Week 6 Assignment

Healthcare Policy Video

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to: (a) identify
communication strategies that support an effective policy
making-presentation/visit (b) deliver a message and make recommendations and
(c) communicate ideas in a clear, succinct, and scholarly manner.

Course Outcomes

This assignment enables the student to meet the following
course outcomes:

(CO #2) Evaluate healthcare laws and policies that impact
patient outcomes and nursing practice( PO 1-5)

(CO #4) Analyze healthcare policy using credible healthcare
policy data sources. ( PO 1-5)

(CO #5 Evaluate the
relationship among nursing practice, healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy
development. (PO 1-5)

(CO #6 ) Demonstrate effective communication with sources
(PO 2,3,5)

Due Date: Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 6

Students are given the opportunity to request an extension
on assignments for emergent situations. Supporting documentation must be
submitted to the assigned faculty. If the student’s request is not approved,
the assignment is graded and a late penalty is applied as follows:

Monday = 10% of total possible point reduction

Tuesday = 20% of total possible point reduction

Wednesday = 30% of total possible point reduction

If the student’s request is approved, the student will be
informed of the revised due date. Should the student fail to meet the revised
due date, the assignment is graded and a late penalty is applied as follows:

Monday = 10% of total possible point reduction

Tuesday = 20% of total possible point reduction

Wednesday = 30% of total possible point reduction

Total Points: 175 points

Requirements

Assignment Criteria for Presentation

Articulate your policy priority message in 3 minutes or less
by video.

Video is to be of clear image and audible sound.

Preparing the Video

The video is to be of yourself delivering your ideas for
implementing your practicum. It is to be
succinct and to the point (3 minutes or less).
The video is to be of good quality; easily read.