NRS 428 Benchmark – Policy Brief
Sample Answer for NRS 428 Benchmark – Policy Brief Included After Question
Description:
The benchmark assesses the following competencies:
1.4 Participate in health care policy development to influence nursing practice and health care.
Research public health issues on the “Climate Change” or “Topics and Issues” pages of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website. Investigate a public health issue related to an environmental issue within the U.S. health care delivery system and examine its effect on a specific population.
Write a 750-1,000-word policy brief that summarizes the issue, explains the effect on the population, and proposes a solution to the issue.
Follow this outline when writing the policy brief:
1. Describe the policy health issue. Include the following information: (a) what population is affected, (b) at what level does it occur (local, state, or national), and (c) evidence about the issues supported by resources.
2. Create a problem statement.
3. Provide suggestions for addressing the health issue caused by the current policy. Describe what steps are required to initiate policy change. Include necessary stakeholders (government officials, administrator) and budget or funding considerations, if applicable.
4. Discuss the impact on the health care delivery system.
Include three peer-reviewed sources and two other sources to support the policy brief.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to theLopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NRS 428 Benchmark – Policy Brief
Title: NRS 428 Benchmark – Policy Brief
Climate Change. “Global Warming.” As Public Health Concern
CDC describes climate change as the growing temperature swings over different periods. These changes might be short- or long-term (Centers for disease control and prevention, 2020). Changing wind patterns, temperature, and precipitation are excellent examples of climatic changes. The CDC and other international organizations like WHO points out that climate changes in various regions of the country affect people’s health and well-being. As the world’s climate deteriorates, climate experts predict more fatalities. Climate change kills over 250000 individuals a year (Romm, 2018). Climate change, especially global warming, causes several health conditions in the U.S., including Hunger, diarrhea, chronic illnesses and intolerable high temperatures (Romm, 2018). Global warming is a climate change concern that must be addressed. This paper will discuss the health concerns caused by global warming, provide remedies, and explain how to initiate a legislative change. The paper also examines how this health issue may affect the way healthcare is delivered
Health policy issue, Population Affected and Global warming as National level Issue
Global warming is typically linked to fossil fuel consumption, inadequate waste management, and other human activities (Berry, 2021). According to a study by Fears et al. (2021), the United States combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Global warming impacts environmental and social health, including housing, food, water, and clean air (Hoegh-Guldberg et al.,2018).
Citizens who already have health complications, individuals with disabilities, young children, and aged persons are especially at risk from the effects of global warming. Some consequences of global warming are high temperatures, natural disasters, and changes in how infections are dispersed (Butler, 2018). Extreme temperature fluctuations caused by climate change have been linked to more deaths from respiratory and heart diseases, especially among older people nationally. Research by Zandalinas et al. (2021) found that an increase in ozone and other air pollutants is linked to a rise in respiratory and heart chronic conditions. Pollen and airborne allergens are also more common when temperatures are high, which has been connected with the surge in asthma cases in the US.
Sea level rise and climate change catastrophes have destroyed facilities, including hospitals, homes, and fundamental public infrastructure (Romm, 2018). When people, especially from low-income households, must relocate due to extreme weather, they risk contracting diseases and mental health disorders. Extreme weather occurrences, such as irregular rainfall patterns, may interfere with the freshwater supply system, raising diarrhea risk. Global warming causes diarrheal diseases (Berry, 2021). Global warming also enhances water-borne diseases conveyance by snails or insects. Climate change and global warming increase the propagation of vector-borne illnesses (Climate insights, 2020). Global warming, for example, impacts malaria.
Problem statement
In the subsequent years, it is anticipated that global warming will increase the number of fatalities and health issues. Moreover, it is anticipated that in the next couple of years, the adverse effects of global warming will become more severe. Although some strategies have been proposed or implemented to reduce or regulate global warming, further innovations are needed to effectively ameliorate the environmental problems brought on by climate change (global warming) and its effects.
Suggestions For Addressing the Health Issue Caused by The Current Policy
The federal government has suggested legislative measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to nationwide global warming. The conversion to renewable energy for power generation is one of the well-liked initiatives (Mutebi, 2018). The shift away from fossil fuels, which are the main contributor to global warming, is an excellent policy. To strengthen this policy, some Americans believe that the government should provide tax benefits to some utilities to promote the use of renewable energies, including solar power, wind power, and water power (Climate insights, 2020). Carbon sequestration and pricing, which indicate that businesses, industries, or organizations should be financially responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions, are two additional policy concerns. The proposal suggests imposing carbon taxes, under which businesses would pay a fee per ton of greenhouse gases they generate.
Conversely, carbon sequestration is capturing and storing emitted carbon instead of releasing it back into the environment (Climate insights, 2020). Tax breaks, restrictions, and consumer incentives are additional interventions that may lower greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reduce the production of excess greenhouse emissions, the government should provide financial incentives encouraging manufacturers and industry players to enhance the energy efficiency of their products, including vehicles and machines. Along with advertising, regulations requiring manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their products may be created. Lastly, providing incentives to consumers might be a successful strategy for reducing gas emissions (Climate insights, 2020). Giving incentives or awards to those who make significant efforts to reduce their fossil fuel usage may also aid in lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Steps To Initiate Policy Change
There are several ways to start the process of global warming policy change in the US. The basic rule is that legislative or regulatory activity affects healthcare policy (Keskitalo, 2019). In general, policy reform encompasses a variety of processes, the first of which is the identification of health complications and the subsequent formulation of a policy agenda centered on those concerns. This phase comprises figuring out whether or not there is health inequality. While the health sector continues to be concerned about climate change, governments may decide that specific changes are required (like the adoption of carbon taxes) to enhance present policies to guarantee effective mitigation and administration of the issue. The second step, policy development or improvement, comprises solutions and strategies for the acknowledged health issue (Houskova, 2018). In order to be put into action in the future, policies are adopted, which is when health ministries, stakeholders, and the government approves. Policy implementation, the last stage, clarifies the policy’s application and effectively describes the implementation procedure (Keskitalo, 2019). In order to guarantee that the policy interacts with existing agencies and practices to reduce conflict, competition, and disruption, a resource assessment is also carried out to identify the resources required to implement the policy.
Impacts On the Health Care Delivery System
A medical facility’s ability to deliver and provide health care access may be impacted in several ways by global warming. For example, infrastructures, including health facilities, communication networks, and mobility, may be harmed in the case of climate change related to severe weather events, posing a significant challenge (Butler, 2018). Furthermore, deteriorated infrastructures may result in medical errors in healthcare facilities, thus endangering the health of the patients. Similarly, climate change-related high heat has been linked to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and other thermal illnesses, leading to an increase in visits to healthcare facilities (Romm, 2018).
In conclusion, as global climate change patterns have an impact on both social and environmental elements, it is crucial to understand them. Global warming and changing climate change patterns are often attributed to human activity, mainly the use of fossil fuels. Extreme heat is highly connected with an increase in chronic and heat-related diseases, which is only one of several health-related effects of global warming. Unusual weather patterns due to global warming may also harm medical facilities, communication networks, infrastructure, and other utilities, delaying or even halting healthcare delivery. As a result, stronger regulations that aid in reducing global warming are needed. These include using carbon taxes, a move toward renewable energy sources, and carbon sequestration.
References
Climate insights 2020: Policies and politics. (n.d.). Resources for the Future. https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/climateinsights2020-policies-and-politics/
Centers for disease control and prevention. (2020). Retrieved 24 September 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/default.htm.
Fears, R., Abdullah, K. A. B., Canales-Holzeis, C., Caussy, D., Haines, A., Harper, S. L., … & Ter Meulen, V. (2021). Evidence-informed policy for tackling adverse climate change effects on health: Linking regional and global assessments of science to catalyse action. PLoS medicine, 18(7), e1003719.
Berry, I. (2021). Top 10 Causes Of Global Warming. Retrieved 24 September 2022, from https://sustainabilitymag.com/top10/top-10-causes-global-warming.
Butler, C. D. (2018). Climate Change, Health and Existential Risks to Civilization: A Comprehensive Review (1989–2013). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102266
Houskova, M. (2018). Nursing Engagement in Policy Development and Advocacy.
Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Jacob, D., Bindi, M., Brown, S., Camilloni, I., Diedhiou, A., … & Zougmoré, R. B. (2018). Impacts of 1.5 C global warming on natural and human systems. Global warming of 1.5° C.
Keskitalo, E. (2019). undefined. Research Handbook on Climate Change Adaptation Policy, 475-492. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786432520.00035
Mutebi, D. (2018). Reducing global warming and stopping unnecessary pollution through regulating and levying private transport means in Bandung. International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 4(6), 253-261.
Romm, J. (2018). undefined. Climate
Change. https://doi.org/10.1093/wentk/9780190866112.003.0002
Zandalinas, S. I., Fritschi, F. B., & Mittler, R. (2021). Global warming, climate change, and environmental pollution: recipe for a multifactorial stress combination disaster. Trends in Plant Science, 26(6), 588-599.
Description
Objectives:
1. Apply screening and referral principles to nursing care of populations.
2. Examine the role of public health in addressing environmental issues.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the U.S. health care system.
4. Examine how policy in the U.S. health care delivery system affects specific populations.
5. Examine the effects of health care reform on the U.S. health care system and its stakeholders.
About the Affordable Care Act
Description:
Study “About the Affordable Care Act,” from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website.
Health Care Transformation: The Affordable Care Act and More
Description:
Read “Health Care Transformation: The Affordable Care Act and More” (2014), located on the American Nurse Association website.
EPHO1: Surveillance of Population Health and Wellbeing
Description:
Read “EPHO1: Surveillance of Population Health and Wellbeing,” by the World Health Organization (WHO), located on the WHO website.
Policy Briefs
Description:
Read “Policy Briefs,” located on the World Health Organization (WHO) website.
2020 County Health Rankings: State Reports
Description:
Explore the 2020 County Health Rankings: State Reports website. This resource may be used for the Community Assessment and Community Teaching Plan assignments in Topics 4 and 5.
Climate Change
Description:
Explore the Climate Change page of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website.
Topics and Issues
Description:
Explore the Topics and Issues page of the American Public Health Association (APHA) website.
Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Guide
Description:
Use the “Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Guide” resource to complete the Community Assessment and Analysis Presentation.
Provider Interview Acknowledgement Form
Description:
Use the “Provider Interview Acknowledgement Form,” as directed in the Community Assessment and Analysis Presentation.
NRS 428 Benchmark – Policy Brief Grading Rubric
| Performance Category | 100% or highest level of performance
100% 16 points |
Very good or high level of performance
88% 14 points |
Acceptable level of performance
81% 13 points |
Inadequate demonstration of expectations
68% 11 points |
Deficient level of performance
56% 9 points
|
Failing level
of performance 55% or less 0 points |
| Total Points Possible= 50 | 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points |
| Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics. |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements
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| 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points | |
| Application of Course Knowledge
Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three of the following elements
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| 10 Points | 9 Points | 6 Points | 0 Points | |||
| Interactive Dialogue
Initial post should be a minimum of 300 words (references do not count toward word count) The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each (references do not count toward word count) Responses are substantive and relate to the topic. |
Demonstrated all of the following:
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Demonstrated 3 of the following:
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Demonstrated 2 of the following:
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Demonstrated 1 or less of the following:
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| 8 Points | 7 Points | 6 Points | 5 Points | 4 Points | 0 Points | |
| Grammar, Syntax, APA
Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition Error is defined to be a unique APA error. Same type of error is only counted as one error. |
The following was present:
AND
AND
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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| 0 Points Deducted | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Participation
Requirements |
Demonstrated the following:
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Failed to demonstrate the following:
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| 0 Points Lost | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Due Date Requirements | Demonstrated all of the following:
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |
Demonstrates one or less of the following.
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |