Question

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a federal agency, conducted a study of childhood obesity across America. The researchers found that obesity rates are growing in the rural south of the USA. In particular, Meadowbrook Elementary School (in Jackson, Mississippi) had the most alarming obesity rates among elementary schools in the USA (with 70% of students qualifying as obese). The school believes that it cannot address this concern on its own because the school is already in a budget crisis as it is. They have been laying off teachers and have cut all funding for physical education, music, and art. The school administrators agree that this is a public health problem, but they see no possible fix because the neighborhood is already so economically disadvantaged.

Meadowbrook administrators lament that they cannot break out of a cycle of disadvantage because the students are so unhealthy that they end up missing school, doing poorly in classes, and then performing unfavorably on standardized testing (which then decreases funding for the school district). In that way, the students’ health may actually be causing the school to lose money (which they certainly can’t afford to lose).

The neighboring town of Smallville, Mississippi houses wealthier families, who pay more in taxes toward the school system. There, the children attend a public school with plenty of resources for physical education, healthy cafeteria meals, and creative outlets.

1. Define the problem in this scenario:

  

2. Who are the interest groups who would be involved:

  

3. Suggest a policy that could address COST concerns:

• Would this policy be implemented at the federal level or the state/ local level? WHY?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this policy recommendation?
• If this policy were to pass, who would be the winners and losers?

4. Suggest a policy that could address ACCESS concerns:

• Would this policy be implemented at the federal level or the state/ local level? WHY?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this policy recommendation?
• If this policy were to pass, who would be the winners and losers?

5. Suggest a policy that could address QUALITY concerns:

• Would this policy be implemented at the federal level or the state/ local level? WHY?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this policy recommendation?
• If this policy were to pass, who would be the winners and losers?

6. Based on the 3 possible policies that you suggest, which policy is the BEST in your eyes. Defend your case

Answer 1

1) Problem in the scenario

Although it seems obesity and other health issues are the problems , the actual concern is poor economic condition of the schools mainly because they are unable to provide adequate fund for training of students.

2)The local government, school authorities, teachers and parents.

3)Policy of planning and organizing fund for health of children.

This policy needs to be implemented by the local government under the supervision and assistance from federal to ensure proper enrollment of funds focussing primarily on the health and education of the children from all levels.

Strength: All the children are covered under same policy.

Schools can work without difficulty in providing necessary training with local funds to improve the standards of health and education.

Weakness: Funds can be misused.

Some disparity can occur.

The benefits can be enjoyed by the schools, children and the community, teachers .

But the local government might face difficulty in setting aside a good amount of money just for this purpose. Sometimes the school authorities might find difficulty to divide funds.