Prioritizing Public Health

There are many organizations that work to highlight, address, and improve health concerns for our citizens. Some of these organizations are governmental agencies, while others are not-for-profit organizations, and yet others are corporate foundations or for-profit companies. Two very prominent organizations, the United Nations and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have identified global and national health concerns and strategic approaches to address those concerns. For this assignment, you will need to visit the following websites: 1. Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations https://sdgs.un.org/#goal_section https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/ Read through the Sustainable Development Goals and target initiatives by scrolling down the webpage and clicking on each of the 17 goals. 2. US Dept. of Health and Human Services: Healthy People 2030 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives Review the topics and objectives by clicking on the links for various health issues. (Note that topics are divided into the following categories: Health Conditions; Health Behaviors; Populations; Settings and Systems; and Social Determinants of Health.) After reading through both resources, choose the ONE issue that, in your opinion, is the most significant public health concern (either global or national) at this time. Final Report: (50 points) DUE: April 24 Finally, write a report, covering the following issues: A. Introduction of your topic, including why it is so important (provide rationale for why you feel this is the most pressing Public Health issue today). B. Provide a brief review of the literature on your topic. Describe current research findings and evidence to support your contention about the importance of this topic. You should use this section of your report to “build a good case” for your topic. C. What challenges can we expect to encounter as we attempt to address this issue? Think of issues such as political positions, financial concerns, environmental or infrastructure barriers, cultural differences, lack of knowledge, lack of community support, competing agendas, etc. D. Drawing upon your research and your review of the Sustainable Development Goals and Healthy People 2030 websites, identify what strategy, policy change, community intervention, behavior change intervention, funding reform or other initiative you would recommend to most effectively address this issue. What approach do you favor? Explain why your chosen strategy / approach will most effectively and realistically achieve change regarding the issue you’ve chosen.