Using a Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve the Public’s Health
This assignment focuses on the methods to develop a change in policy to improve the public’s health by using a health policy model.
Tasks:
Suppose you want to initiate a policy of taxing sugared sodas/pop/beverages in your community. Use the Longest’s policy cycle model to ponder the following questions:

• 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?

Review this case study
HPI: KF, 56-year-old Caucasian female presents to office with complaints of “no energy and not wanting to go out.” These symptoms have been present for about 3 months and seem worse in the morning and improve slightly through the day. It is hard to get out of bed and get the day started because does not feel rested when she wakes up in the morning.  KF reports a “loss of joy”. States” I really don’t feel like going
anywhere or doing anything”.  She tries to do at least one social activity a week, but it can be really exhausting. Reports she also has difficulty completing projects for work, she cannot stay focused anymore. She reports not feeling hungry, so she is not eating regularly and has lost some weight.  KB has been a widow for 2 years. Her husband died unexpectedly, he had a MI. She recently got a puppy, which she thought would help with the loneliness, but the care of the puppy seems overwhelming at times. Rest and exercise, specifically yoga and meditation seem to help her feel better. At this time, she does not want to do either, it seems like too much effort to get up and go. She has not tried any
medications, prescribed or otherwise. She reports drinking a lot of coffee, but that does not seem to help with her energy levels.
Current medications: Excedrin PM about once a week when she can’t sleep, seems to help a bit. NKDA.
PMH: no major illnesses. Immunizations up to date.
SH: widowed, employed full time as a consultant. Drinks 1 glass of wine almost every night. No tobacco use, no illicit drug use. Previously
married 20 years ago while living in France, reports an abusive relationship. The French government gave custody of her son to the exhusband. She returned to US without her son 10 years ago. She sees her son two times a year, they skype and text “all the time” but she
misses him. Her son is now an adult and is considering moving to the US.
FH: Parents are alive and well. Has one son, age 21, he is healthy but lives in France with his father.
ROS
CONSTITUTIONAL: reports weight loss of 4-5 pounds, no fever, chills, or weakness reported. Daily fatigue.
HEENT: Eyes: No visual loss, blurred vision, double vision or yellow sclera. Ears, Nose, Throat: No hearing loss, sneezing, congestion, runny nose or sore throat.
CARDIOVASCULAR: No chest pain, chest pressure or chest discomfort. No palpitations or edema.
RESPIRATORY: No shortness of breath, cough or sputum.
GASTROINTESTINAL: Reports decreased appetite for about 3 months. No nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. No abdominal pain or blood.
NEUROLOGICAL: No headache, dizziness, syncope, paralysis, ataxia, numbness or tingling in the extremities. No change in bowel or bladder control.
GENITOURINARY: no burning on urination. Last menstrual period 4 years ago.
PSYCHIATRIC: No history of diagnosed depression or anxiety. Reports history of great anxiety due to verbal and concern for physical abuse, reports feeling very sad and anxious when divorcing and leaving her son in France. Did not seek treatment. She started to feel better after about 4 months.
ENDOCRINOLOGIC: No reports of sweating, cold or heat intolerance. No polyuria or polydipsia
ALLERGIES: No history of asthma, hives, eczema or rhinitis.

Identify  a healthcare organization and assess it on Cultural Diversity (1,800 words).
Overview and Guidelines
From Understanding and Managing Diversity by Harvey and Allard.
An important part of our course is researching information on diversity and multiculturalism and its social, cultural, and ethical impact upon individual citizens, groups of people, and society at large.  In the twenty-first century, Web sites are an important channel of communication between organizations and their external stakeholders. If an organization is serious about its commitment to diversity, one would expect that this would be reflected in the design, content, and graphics of the Web site. Potential employees, customers, suppliers, etc., often turn first to a Web site before initiating interaction with an organization. If diversity is really integral to the mission and values of an organization, information on diversity should be easily accessible, informative, and well integrated into the Web site.
You will select a specific company in an industry such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing government, education, sports, etc. Then, prepare a report on the following:

1. Evaluate how accessible diversity-related material is on this Web site. Is there a direct link from the home page? What type of results does entering the term “diversity” in a search box yield? Or, do you have to explore on your own? Sometimes searching under “careers” or “press releases” may produce some diversity-related results. On some Web sites, you will have to explore deeply into Web pages to find material related to diversity. What does this say about the organization’s commitment to diversity?
2. Evaluate the usefulness of the diversity information to potential employees, customers, and suppliers. Is the diversity material related to the organization’s business case for diversity, core values, mission, etc. the way that the organization does business? How current is the diversity-related material?
3. Evaluate the appropriateness of the photographs and graphic material that relates to diversity. Some Web sites will feature photographs of diverse employees and customers, yet not link this material to the verbal content. Some reuse the same pictures on different pages, etc.
4. Assume that you are a) a potential employee, b) a potential customer and c) a potential supplier or subcontractor. What perceptions might you have about this organization’s commitment to diversity based solely on the Web site? Looking at this Web site, do you think that it encourages or discourages diverse employees to apply for jobs in this organization? Why or why not?
5. What internal management issues can affect the prominence that diversity gets or doesn’t get on an organization’s Web site?
6. Are there any diversity awards listed on the Web site? If so, review the criteria and selection process as presented in the Allard article on awards (from the textbook) or if the award is not mentioned in that article. Evaluate the value of the award through the sponsoring organization’s Web site.
7. If you were a (female, over 55, racial minority, person with a physical challenge, gay or lesbian, etc.) job applicant and you have read an ad for job opening for which you are fully qualified.  Based on your audit of the company web site what perceptions might you have of this company before you even walk in the door? Would you still apply for the job? Why or why not?

Primary Dimensions Include:
Age
Gender
Mental/Physical abilities
Race
Ethnic Heritage
Sexual Orientation
Secondary Dimensions Include:
Geographic Location
Military and Work Experience
Family Status
Income
Religion
First Language
Education
Organizational Role
Level Communication
Work Styles
You will submit the report in three sections throughout the course, with a due date for each section. These due dates are posted on the Course Schedule.
The Course Project should be 6-8 pages in length.  Your 4 relevant scholarly/peer reviewed sources may include your textbook and books and articles obtained through the DeVry library. Credible articles from news, government (.gov), or academic (.edu) websites can also be used; acceptable examples include NPR, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Business Week.