Question

Please choose one of the health policy matters we read about in weeks five and six. How is this issue a matter of health policy? What factors brought about its visibility in the public policy arena? How do you think this issue was debated (specifically, what were some of the arguments supporting the need for this policy or action, and what were some of the arguments against it)? What models of public policy construction for this issue and how? Do you think we have arrived at the right policy or social decision? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The case study itself involves 6 questions, I will answer them one by one.

Part 1 - Please choose one of the health policy matters we read about in weeks five and six - Since this case pertains to public opinion and stats I will choose the matter of "weak primary healthcare" and "Vaccination Hesitancy" - as stated by World Health Organization are major threats to global health of people.

Part 2 - How is this issue a matter of health policy? - Various type of investment like in defense, Healthcare and education shape the economy and livelihood of its people. The first point of contact is usually with the primary healthcare system and it should be affordable and easily accessible to the overall development of the community. Healthcare is important for the welfare of the country as healthy individuals will contribute more to the development of the economy. Also, vaccination is important for the prevention of life-threatening diseases.

Part 3 - What factors brought about its visibility in the public policy arena? - The factors which bought visibility to the public eye are statistics and recent happenings related to healthcare. For example - Measles increased by 30% globally, and most of the cases are of vaccination hesitancy. Vaccination is the most efficient way to avoid diseases and 1.5 million deaths could be curbed if vaccinations are easily accessible.

Part 4 - How do you think this issue was debated (specifically, what were some of the arguments supporting the need for this policy or action, and what were some of the arguments against it)? - Of course "Vaccination hesitancy" is in the news nowadays with some supporting it and some are against it. This created a huge debate. The arguments against it were mostly from new parents that vaccination could lead to defects in their newborn kids like autism and calling vaccination as profit-making propaganda. However there were also some arguments supporting vaccination like non- immunization could be even more life-threatening than vaccination; as it could adversely affect the immunity of a human being.

Part 5 - What models of public policy construction for this issue and how? - Public Policy refers to services arranged by the government of a country to common people at an affordable price or for free. Taking an example of India - Polio vaccination is free and easily accessible in towns and villages. And talking about primary health care, there is universal healthcare system in some countries benefitting common people of basic healthcare, 92% of people of the U.S had health coverage in 2017. Government is also trying to make compulsion to have insurance of health, for example, Massachusetts became first state to make mandatory insurance of health for its people. Health Insurance brings down the overall hospitalization cost.

Part 6 - Do you think we have arrived at the right policy or social decision? Why or why not? - Yes we have developed a lot in terms of healthcare but still there is a long way to go. Things are positive as various steps are taken to improve universal health by countries. There are technological advancements to prevent and treat various forms of diseases; there is rise of awareness to improve lifestyle amongst people.Medical care should be made easily accessible and convenient for common local people around the countries. Moreover education is directly related to awareness among people related to health. More investment in technology and artificial intelligence should be undertakes so that treatment becomes less time consuming. More Individuals should opt of health insurance.