So far in this course you have started building your foundation of understanding the elements of health service policy. You have learned what a policy is, and you have distilled that information down to identify a health policy. You have learned about the health care system organization, operation, financing and delivery. You have also distinguished the differences between individual and community/public health. In each of these areas you have seen examples of health policies in action (vaccination and disease prevention policies, health service financing and delivery policies such as the Affordable Care Act, etc.)
Now it is time to apply all of this knowledge. You know there are many health policies in place that impact our lives every day. There are policies that affect our direct, individual health care; polices that impact financing of health care we receive; and those broader community health policies that impact society as a whole. Those broader impact health policies are often referred to as national health policies. The World Health Organization defines national health policies as ‘policies, strategies, and plans that play an essential role in defining a country’s vision, priorities, budgetary decisions and course of action for improving and maintaining the health of its people.’ You will use that information to complete this assignment, and help prepare you for the rest of the course.
To start you should identify a current national health policy of interest. Take some time to research areas that are of interest to you, and pertinent to your profession/field of study. Once you have selected a national health policy, spend some time researching that policy. You will want to do a broad review of appropriate materials, including a minimum of three scholarly, peer reviewed journal articles, among other primary and secondary resources.
Once you have completed your research, and have your resources in order, you will write a 1,000 word essay. This essay should connect the selected policy, the information you have covered in the course, and your research to formulate a well written narrative that includes the following main points:
An overview of the policy you selected to review, and why you chose that policy;
Historical information about the need for and development of this policy;
The area of health and population that the policy impacts/affects;
Discussion of the benefits or strengths of this policy;
Discussion of any challenges that this policy poses, and who do these challenges impact; and
Any recommendations for changes/updates/ additions to the policy that you found in your research.
