Social Behavior in Public Health

Social Behavior in Public Health

Week 1 Discussion

DQ1

What are social, behavioral, and cultural determinants? How do social, behavioral, and cultural determinants impact public health? Present specific examples within your answer as well as justifying your rationale with evidence. Respond to three other class members’ posts specifically peer-reviewing their answers.

DQ2

Very wealthy or influential public figures (such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates) have become major funders in the global health arena, providing millions to developing countries and/or international organizations. How do you think this will influence the future of public health? What benefits and challenges may develop?

Week 2 Discussion

DQ1

Present one theory or model within the field of public health which describes either how people maintain health and/or how illness is caused? Presentation of the theory or model may be submitted in graphic or narrative format. Even if this is not your personal viewpoint/belief, how can these multiple theories and models be beneficial to public health professionals? It is not appropriate to repeat one that has already been posted unless you are providing new information. Review all peer submissions and become familiar with the multiple theories and models. Respond to three peers’s posts asking any questions or verifying your analysis of the theory/model.

DQ2

What role should culture play in how a person’s health issues are handled? Is this demonstrated in the health system today? Support your position with examples and/or evidence.

Week 3 Discussion

DQ1

Reflecting on your childhood, what types of barriers/disparities existed that limited your ability to lead a healthier life? Were there any short-term or long-term consequences?

DQ2

To what extent does discrimination and racism create health disparities? Why are some populations more likely to experience health disparities? Support your position with multiple examples.

Week 4 Discussion

DQ1

Provide two examples of social institutions that are prevalent in American society and explain their functions. How have social institutions played a part in your health? Do you think their influence was positive or negative? Why?

DQ2

Can health care policy shape the way in which social institutions are viewed by an individual or population group? Support your position with examples and/or evidence.

Week 5 Discussion

DQ1

Present a basic case in which an individual would wish to change a long-term health behavior? For example, a 39-year-old female wishes to stop her two-pack-a-day smoking habit which she has had for 10 years. Using various models and theories of behavioral change help create strategies for modifying the patient’s behaviors. Explain the process/methods that could be used to accomplish this goal. Predict how long this may take and what challenges may present themselves? Review three peers’ postings and provide constructive feedback on additional changes which could be beneficial as well as additional insight.

DQ2

Why is health promotion/education such an important component to behavioral change? Why do you think behavioral change is so difficult for an individual?

HERE FOR YOU: Social Behavior in Public Health

Week 6 Discussion

DQ1

Present one theory or model of behavioral change which would be effective in a population and/or community? Presentation of the theory or model may be submitted in graphic or narrative format. Within your answer, using a scenario format, illustrate how the theory or model could be effective. Review all peer submissions and become familiar with the multiple theories and models. Respond to three peers’ posts asking any questions or verifying your own analysis of the theory/model.

DQ2

How can individual, group, and social efforts be combined to implement community behavioral change? Identify challenges which may result from your suggestions. Review three peers’ postings and provide possible solutions for the challenges that may arise.

Week 7 Discussion

DQ1

Find a program (provide a link to the program) which was developed to provide health promotion and education to a specific population. Evaluate this program on its ability to identify with the specific population, on its implementation of effective intervention methods, and on its program planning strategy. This evaluation will be very broad in scope and not as in-depth as your research assignment. Review three peers’ postings, access the program links, and compare your assessment to theirs? What additional insights do you have?

DQ2

Find a media publication with a health message. Share the link. What population is this publication targeting and how do you know? Do you think it is effective or not? Why?

Week 8

DQ1

In March 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. Will this legislation help decrease or eliminate health disparities? Can it be more effective? Use the Kaiser Family Foundation’s “Focus on Health Reform: Summary of the New Health Reform Law,” assigned as reading for this module, for a reference.

DQ2

Is it possible to eliminate health disparities in the United States? Why or why not? What are some of the key strategies advocated by the readings? Do you notice any similar themes in the assigned articles?