Challenges in Advocating for Public Health Policies and Intervention
Advocates face many problems when trying to come up with new policies and interventions that can be used in the public health system to increase services and affordability. One of the challenges is the problem of attribution of advocates where there is much doubt whether it works as it becomes difficult to quantify, measure, and evaluate the influence of advocacy in the health system. Inclusively, advocates become controversial during their debates with the motive of achieving their goal (Katikireddi, Bond, and Hilton, 2014). Public media plays a vital role in shaping health policies. Media provides the insights on major issues on drug usage hence helping in strengthening and introduction of new policies.
The purpose of the government in any state is to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens and to protect their rights and choices. In the healthcare system, all the organizations work toward improving the health status of patients. I, therefore, side the issue of government regulation since its primary purpose is to enhance the well-being of the society. Several benefits are available as evidence in support of the rules that can be used to win the debate. Moreover, the availability of many health advocates all of the country whose job is to speak on behalf of the health system will increase the chances of winning the debate.
For a policy to be formed, there must exist the people to whom the reforms directly affect and the individuals responsible for the formation of the rules. Different factors influence the level of integration of the research community and the policymakers. Research-based policies are not evident hence may not represent the right choice of the society. Moreover, the culture, norms, and practices from one community to the other differ thus basing policies on research may undermine or affect the practices of other community (Freudenberg, and Tsui, 2014). The motive of policymakers may not be aligned with the needs and interest of the society hence lowering the level of integration. Evidence-based policies are much prevalent in today’s communities, and they cannot result to value free rules based on the government support, and use of scientific information all of which requires the investment of time, money and resources. Evidence-based policy is much possible and is evident by the waste management policy and policy on parental leave in Australia.
Several challenges led to the introduction of the evidence-based policy in Australia, and they include the problem of inter jurisdiction commission that results to an inability to find a national solution to problems. Moreover, economic turbulence, international competitive pressure and greenhouse challenges led to the introduction of evidence-based policy (Oliver, Lorenc, and Innvær, 2014).
Government Regulation in the Nanny States and Countering Anti-regulation
The strategies for the translation of research and evidence into practice and regulations may include carrying out a transparent and open debate that will educate and test the public. Also, building greater institutional capacity, having an active council of Australian Government arrangement, better use of external contracting, and properly evaluating the resources can improve the policy implementation and use.
The community has played significant role in the development of closing the gap campaign through such activities as provision of balanced diet to children, taking the children and youths to school, and involvement in the activities and applying for the job opportunities offered by the government (Cacari-Stone, Wallerstein, Garcia, and Minkler, 2014). The community also engages in environmental conservation and maintenance of a clean environment. Through voluntary participation in the training programs and meetings, much is learned that helps to increase the living standards. Those members with the job set aside part of their income for community development activities (Browne, Hayes, and Gleeson, 2014). Despite the progress of the campaign, several challenges accrue that hamper the full achievement of the program. These may include the increased level of racism among the Australian citizens in many government institutions, high level of illiteracy hinders communication and training, staffing shortages, lack of cultural awareness, inadequate transport services, the direct medical costs.
The Big food company has recently been found in food lobbying activities where they convinced the health department staff to withdraw a website to be used by the government in launching new health star rating and labeling system. Parvin (2016) argues that such activity exposed how large and powerful companies influence government policies in Australia for their interest.
Silencing dissent has recently been evident where Turnbull attacked the protestors and journalist for their freedom of expression. Following the incident, it is clear that the Australian government is silencing the government owing to the right of speech and expression that is allowed in the country. Moreover, the former prime minister intends to bend the laws down by criminalizing dissent to enable the silencing of dissent in the country.
Most sports events and movies are attended by youths who have an active part in all social and criminal behaviors and practices. Sponsorship of such activities by the tobacco and alcohol companies provides them with the opportunity to advertise their products which are of detrimental effects. Alcohol and tobacco consumption can result in health effects like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, and weakens the nervous system. The ethical impact of these substances abuse includes increased criminal behaviors among youths and accidents.
Integration of the Research Policy Community
Ethical and Public Health Implication of Advertising Surgery Drinks and Fast Food to Children
The demand for fast food and surgery drinks increases when advertised to children. Fast food and surgery drinks contain much sugar and fats which when taken in excess can result to health effects among children. The effects of these foods include excessive weight gain resulting in obesity, lung and heart diseases increases (Ronit, and Jensen, 2014). Other effects include skin eczema, weakening of the teeth, and development of depression. Some children will go to the extent of stealing money to purchase such products due to the addictive nature thus resulting to development of immoral behaviors.
The limits of advertisement are influenced by the kind of information to be passed. Some adverts may negatively affect the behavior of children hence should be avoided. Bray and Kwo (2014) argue that public and private sector regulation should be encouraged as some companies have their main of the objective as maximizing profit and not satisfying and valuing the health and needs of the customer. Companies may use harmful raw materials in production thus resulting in effects on the final consumers; therefore, it is essential to regulate and monitor all the sectors (Noel, Babor, and Robaina, 2017). Achieving accountability to the public may be influenced by such things as complexity and ambiguity in governance arrangement which has to be followed. Moreover, responsibility tends to focus on the process rather than the outcome hence it becomes difficult to achieve results. Unclear expectation and lack of visibility on the policies may also cause tension.
References
Bray, M., & Kwo, O. (2014). Regulating private tutoring for public good. Policy Options for Supplementary Education in Asia. UNESCO Bangkok.
Browne, J., Hayes, R., & Gleeson, D. (2014). Aboriginal health policy: is nutrition the ‘gap’in ‘Closing the Gap’?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 38(4), 362- 369.
Cacari-Stone, L., Wallerstein, N., Garcia, A. P., & Minkler, M. (2014). The promise of community-based participatory research for health equity: a conceptual model for bridging evidence with policy. American journal of public health, 104(9), 1615-1623.
Freudenberg, N., & Tsui, E. (2014). Evidence, power, and policy change in community-based participatory research. American Journal of Public Health, 104(1), 11-14.
Katikireddi, S. V., Bond, L., & Hilton, S. (2014). Changing policy framing as a deliberate strategy for public health advocacy: a qualitative policy case study of minimum unit pricing of alcohol. The Milbank Quarterly, 92(2), 250-283.
Noel, J. K., Babor, T. F., & Robaina, K. (2017). Industry self?regulation of alcohol marketing: a systematic review of content and exposure research. Addiction, 112, 28-50.
Oliver, K., Lorenc, T., & Innvær, S. (2014). New directions in evidence-based policy research: a critical analysis of the literature. Health research policy and systems, 12(1), 34.
Ronit, K., & Jensen, J. D. (2014). Obesity and industry self-regulation of food and beverage marketing: a literature review. European journal of clinical nutrition, 68(7), 753.
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