400238 Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

Task:

The aim of this assessment task is for students to respond to questions that are based on readings from Modules 1 & 2 and will enable the student to test their knowledge and understanding of the sociology of health, social determinants of health and policy development in health.

The purpose of this assessment task is to facilitate the written development of the student’s skills and expertise in the following learning objectives:

1. Recognise and critique social ideologies and theories that shape public spending on health and aged care and health policy development;

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between politics and power in the construction of health and aged care policy;

3. Explore the concept that interest groups exert power and influence in the area of health and aged care policy formulation;

4. Examine significant historical, structural and environmental factors that affect health and aged care policy development and translation.

5. Consider the global evolution of health and aged care policies and the organisational patterns of health and aged care services, with respect to the World Health Organisation’s commitment to Primary Health Care;

Answer 5 questions from the list below in 300 words each

1. Why is a policy cycle an important tool for use in the development of a new policy?

2. How is a health policy different to a government policy document?

3. How does the ’new public health’ approach differ from the old public health approach?

4. What are key sociological issues that impact the health of individuals and how do they determine a person’s state of health?

5. Identify the types of ”power” in relation to influences on policy development and change.

6. What policy considerations should be included in a national obesity health campaign? Your response must include referenced information and no dot points.

7. If you were to create a new policy to develop a smoke free environment for the university what are at least 4 factors you would include and why?

8. What are ”wicked problems” and how are they problematic for health care policy development?