Posted: February 28th, 2023
Rather than focus on the treatment of chronic disease, policies that influence population health tend to emphasize prevention and wellness; the reduction or elimination of waste and the eradication of health disparities based on race, ethnicity, language, income, gender, sexual orientation, disability and other factors. The reasoning is that good health belongs to the whole, not just an individual.
Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen has a stake in healthcare policy decisions. Hence, it is little wonder why healthcare items become such high-profile components of presidential agendas. It is also little wonder why they become such hotly debated agenda items.
Consider a topic (mental health, HIV, opioid epidemic, pandemics, obesity, prescription drug prices, or many others) that rises to the presidential level. How did the current and previous presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?
Consider a population health topic that rises to the presidential agenda level. Which social determinant most affects this health issue? How did two recent presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?
SOLUTION
Topic: Opioid epidemic
Current and Previous Presidents:
The current President, Joe Biden, has made the opioid epidemic a top priority in his healthcare agenda. He has proposed increasing funding for addiction treatment and recovery programs, expanding access to naloxone, and improving prescription drug monitoring programs to prevent over-prescribing of opioids. The previous President, Donald Trump, also made efforts to address the opioid epidemic during his tenure. He declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency and signed the SUPPORT Act, which aimed to increase access to addiction treatment and prevention programs, as well as crack down on illegal drug trafficking.
Place an order in 3 easy steps. Takes less than 5 mins.