Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment

Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment

Healthcare Advocacy Paper

Alcohol and substance use in the United States is prevalent and impacts the health of users negatively. Arguably, there is no better place where these impacts of substance abuse are witnessed than in healthcare institutions where emergencies range from overdoses, chronic illnesses, and even drug-related violence. In an article authored by Cheetham et al. (2022), the role of nurses has been cited as one that goes beyond primary care provision but also one that extends to practices such as advocacy on health-related issues. As a group within the community and largely the healthcare center that comes in close contact with victims of substance abuse, advocating for policies aimed at addressing the issue is well-suited for nurses. According to McCance-Katz (2018), advocating for the control of substance use in the community is closely related to health promotion and patient safety. Considering that substance use in the US is rampant, the impact it has on the general health of the nation as a whole is immense. What’s more, the health outcomes of people who abuse drug compares poorly with the rest of the population because of the user’s inability to stick to the prescribed dosages, an inability to maintain a healthy diet, and physical exercises needed for health alleviation among others. In view of this, the health issue that this policy paper seeks to address is the management and control of substance abuse in the United States Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment.

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Health Issues and Existing or Necessary Health Policy

From a nursing point of view, intervention is needed on the health issue of substance abuse (in the context of this policy advocacy paper, substance abuse refers to recreational drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol). Among the health impacts that substance abuse has as detailed by Cheetham et al. (2022) are lung and heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic illnesses, and mental health among others. Kaswa (2021) has explained that as a result of persistent consumption of alcohol and ingestion of drugs, the immune system of the user is compromised and the body is unable to fight off common illnesses. A weakened immune system makes the body of an individual unable to fight infections making the person vulnerable to a multitude of infections and diseases. Commenting on the health issues associated with substance abuse and with a bias towards heart diseases, Lewiskin (2018) has stated that users tend to have abnormal heart rates which often lead to heart attacks or risks of a heart attack. In addition, addicted individuals are could feel varying degrees of nausea and abdominal pain triggering them to lose appetite further compromising their own health.

At present, there are existing policies in the United States intended at controlling and managing the use of drugs. Grim B and Grim M (2019) pointed out the U.S. anti-drug policy that has been in place for over four decades but which, in many ways, has failed to contain the runaway substance abuse. As a whole, this anti-drug policy has been ineffective because it is dotted with many controversies such as discrimination towards certain minority sections such as African Americans. Even more concerning is the fact that the U.S. anti-drug policy has for a long time been driven by selfish political interests. This, according to Lewiskin (2018), has been at the expense of policy effectiveness and fairness. The failure of the anti-drug policy as highlighted by Kaswa (2021) has been manifested by its failure to reduce substance abuse-related deaths, drug abuse, and availability as well as the spread of drug-related diseases such as mental illnesses and heart diseases.

Despite the existing challenges on policy within the country, the objective of developing health policies on substance abuse is still realizable. Through this advocacy policy paper, a set of proposals are made that could help alleviate the situation as it is in the United States. It is suggested that policymakers in the different states and at the national level should regard the substance abuse menace with sufficient seriousness as is done with issues such as pollution crime. Part of the reasons why state and national policies on drugs have failed in the past is that they are not accorded the level of attention they deserve. Grim B and Grim M (2019) mentioned that with healthcare accounting for the most expensive industry in the US and a majority of middle and low-income earners unable to afford it, the health of the entire nation is at risk, and action needs to be taken as soon as possible. An added proposal for this policy is increased dissemination of information on drugs and drug abuse. Americans need to be made aware of the negative impacts of substance abuse and the most effective approach is equipping the healthcare system to run the program on behalf of the government. The rationale for this is that the healthcare industry is the one that comes in close contact with people impacted by substance abuse and also their immediate families. In their article, Grim B and Grim M (2019) have called upon legislatures to engage more in discussions on policies on substance abuse. Further to this, the government needs to participate in or engage the private sector for collective research on substance abuse, its impacts on the community, and the entire health sector. Since the private sector is especially involved in the production and distribution of substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, measures such as licensing, taxation, and regulation need to be addressed with more commitment. Effective management of these three would ensure that only authorized organizations manufacture or distribute these substances Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment.

Stakeholders

There are different stakeholders that should be concerned about the proposed policy on substance use control and management. The first group of stakeholders is the patients themselves. The advocated policy would help alleviate their health situation and help them live a better and improved life. Family members and guardians are equally impacted by the health conditions of the substance users as they often bear financial and emotional burdens. This class of stakeholders would benefit from a reduced burden emotionally and financially. Physicians, clinicians, and nursing practitioners are the third group of stakeholders who have been witnesses to the extreme health impacts of substance abuse. The rationale for advocating for these policy changes is to help improve the health of the community, ease the burden of caregivers, and to release the resources to other deserving patients. Lastly, policymakers and politicians are also stakeholders because they are tasked with ensuring the overall health of the community is uplifted (McCance-Katz, 2018). Importantly, the policymakers are entrusted with enacting the details of this proposal and ensuring that it is passed and enacted.

The Proposed Plan

The analyzed health issue, substance abuse, has far-reaching impacts on healthcare and politics. Healthcare in the united states currently has its resources stretched (Lewiskin, 2018). This is in part due to an aging population as baby boomers reach their senior ages at a faster rate than current births. The emergence and persistence of runaway substance use place undue pressure on these resources sometimes denying the senior citizens and other members of the community care needed. McCance-Katz (2018) has stated that as the clinical practitioners work to improve the health outcomes of different demographics, these efforts are compromised by the increase in substance use. Since the demographic that heavily or moderately used drugs and alcohol have a compromised immune system, the health care provided to them has far less successful outcomes. The policy advocated for will have an impact on politics in two ways. Firstly, it will change the attitude demonstrated by policymakers and politicians where they used existing policies to advance their own agenda. The proposed policy will emphasize genuine conversations among politicians and policymakers to come up with lasting solutions. Secondly, the policy demands a separation between politics and policy. The proposed measures should be looked at from the perspective of the health of the community and the nation as a whole and this should be completely devoid of politics if possible. The likely opposition that could emerge is from the private sector especially the producers and distributors of prescription drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. However, the remedy for these will come in the forms of increased taxation, strict licensing requirements, and regulations.

Recap

It is crucial that intervention on substance use is made. The United States public health situation is at a crossroads and unless action is taken immediately, the current healthcare resources will not be able to handle the runway of substance abuse. This policy proposes increased restriction and control of substance use. In this context, substances refer to alcohol, legal and illegal drugs. Substance abuse compromises the health outcomes of users as their immune systems are unable to withstand infections because of their weakened state. The reason why the proposed policy is advocated for through this policy paper is that the existing ones in the country have largely failed, have for long been politicized, and been discriminatory. The proposed policy calls for the key objectives being justice and effectiveness and the ultimate realization of improved national health status.

References

Cheetham, A., Picco, L., Barnett, A., Lubman, D. I., & Nielsen, S. (2022). The Impact of Stigma on People with Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Treatment, and Policy. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 13, 1. https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S304566

Grim, B. J., & Grim, M. E. (2019). Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable in preventing and recovering from substance abuse. Journal of religion and health, 58(5), 1713-1750. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-019-00876-w

Kaswa, R. (2021). Primary healthcare approach to substance abuse management. South African Family Practice, 63(1).

Lewiskin, J. (2018). On the front lines: Managerialism in substance abuse agencies. City University of New York.

McCance-Katz, E. F. (2018). The substance abuses and mental health services administration (SAMHSA): new directions. Psychiatric services, 69(10), 1046-1048. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201800281

Health Issue and Advocacy Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to identify a health issue requiring advocacy from the nursing profession on a local, regional, state, national, or international level. This topic can be related to health promotion, population health, disease management, or patient safety in the community or other healthcare setting. You are assuming the role of advocate in various capacities. The topic you select for this paper will be the subject of your Policy Brief and Advocacy Letter

Assignment. Therefore, research thoroughly your topic of interest to ensure that it can be applied across both assignments.

In this paper you will identify a health issue which may or may not already be represented in the form of legislation or health policy. Individuals may just take a position on an issue affecting local policy with decision makers Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment.

An example of this with legislation includes:

Health issue: primary care access for patients
Health policy: increasing primary care providers using nurse practitioners; support of PA HB 765 for CRNP independent practice

An example of this without legislation includes:

Health issue: increased chronic back pain from integration of technology in healthcare
Health policy: ergonomic evaluation of work environments for all employees; letter of support to employers for new healthcare organization policy

This assignment is worth 25% of your grade. Using APA format and criteria from the Grading Rubric for Written Assignments, in 5 double spaced pages (excluding the title page and reference page) present the following details:

Criteria for Your Advocacy as a Nursing Professional

Introduction

Outline of health issue and existing or necessary health policy and/or politics. Why is this significant to nursing?

List and discuss any other stake holders who would be concerned with the health issue, in favor or opposition.

Propose a plan on this health issue advocacy:

• Effect of the health issue on health policy and politics

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• Interventions to be implemented in this advocacy to enact change; incorporate health politics as pertinent

• Identify opposition which can be encountered.

Conclusion

Grading Rubric for Written Assignments

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Category

Unacceptable

Acceptable

Good

Excellent

Score

Introduction

Does not adequately convey topic or key question(s). Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed.

Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed.

Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed.

Strong introduction of topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed.

15 points

Focus and Sequencing

Content is not logically organized into topic, subtopics or related to topic. Many transitions are unclear or nonexistent.

Most content clearly related to topic. Material not organized within subtopics.

All content clearly related to topic and logically organized within subtopics. Clear, varied transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.

All content clearly related to topic. Strong organization and integration of content within subtopics. Strong transitions linking subtopics, and main topic.

20 points

Support

Few sources supporting topic. Sources are not peer reviewed or scholarly Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment.

Sources generally acceptable but not peer-reviewed research or scholarly.

Sources well selected to support topic with some peer reviewed research and scholarly support of topic.

Sources strong peer- reviewed research or scholarly and support of topic.

20 points

Conclusion

Does not summarize evidence consistent with topic. Does not synthesize research material.

Summarization of key conclusion weak. Somewhat synthesizes research material.

Strong summarization of

research conclusion. Discusses impact of research material on topic.

Strong review of key conclusions. Insightful discussion of impact of research material topic.

15 points

Graduate Curriculum Committee, 2014-‐2015

Grammar, Spelling and

Punctuation

Substantial grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Occasional spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, which detract from the scholarly paper.

Minimal grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

No grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

10 points

Writing Mechanics

Word choice is informal in tone. Writing is choppy, with many awkward or unclear passages.

Word choice occasionally informal in tone. Writing has a few awkward or unclear passages.

Writing has minimal awkward or unclear passages.

Writing is consistent with formal scholarly work.

10 points

APA Style

Substantial errors in APA style detracting from the paper.

6 or more reference and citation errors detract significantly from paper.

Noticeable errors in APA style.

3-5 references and citations missing or incorrectly written.

Occasional errors in APA style that do not detract from the paper. Scholarly style.

2 or less references and citations missing or incorrectly written Health Issues And Existing Or Necessary Health Policy Assignment.

No errors in APA style. Scholarly style.

All references and citations are correctly written and present.

10 points