Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve Public Health Paper

Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve Public Health Paper

There have been several policy changes in the healthcare sector in recent years. Some of the policy changes have been driven by factors such as technology, doctor demographics, illness trends, and the cost of healthcare. Different models are used in developing policy changes in the healthcare sector. One of the models used for this purpose is the Longest policy cycle model. This paper focuses on the use of the Longest policy cycle model to initiate a policy of taxing sugared sodas, pop, and beverages and the effects that this policy will come along with.

The Longest policy cycle model is divided into three different phases, including the policy formulation phase, the policy implementation phase, and policy modification phase. The policy formulation phase involves agenda-setting and the development of legislation. During the agenda setting, problems, possible solutions, and political circumstances are put into consideration. This is then followed by the development of legislation, during which a legislative body is presented with policy proposals. This is followed by policy implementation, in which relevant authorities are given an initial policy draft. The final step in the Longest policy cycle model is the modification phase decisions made during the policymaking process are revisited, and necessary revisions are done.

The Longest policy cycle model can be used in the implementation of the policy on taxation of sugared sodas, pop, and beverages. When used for this purpose, the formulation phase would involve defining the need for this policy. This would involve analyzing an increase in the use of sugared sodas and beverages and the effects they have on people. After the identification of issues, there would be a debate on the plans of the policy to determine the structure of the policy. This would be followed by agenda-setting through the involvement of several stakeholders. It involves identifying the judicial, regulatory, and other legislative institutions which are responsible for the adoption and formulation of policies. In the implementation phase, action would be taken by the relevant authorities to ensure that sugared sodas and beverages are taxed. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the policy would be vital to ensure that necessary changes are made to the policy during the modification phase. This would ensure that the policy is fully implemented in the future.

To justify why this policy change is important, several arguments would be used. For instance, sugared drinks increase public health costs of managing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. It has been shown that a 20% tax on sugared drinks reduces the prevalence of obesity and overweight by about 3% (Briggs et al., 2013). This is because sugared drinks are linked to overweight and obesity. Given the vast amounts of money spent by the government to manage lifestyle diseases related to the use of sugared drinks, a lot of revenue would be generated due to this policy change. The generated revenue would be used by the government to support programs that sensitize people about the effects of consuming sugared drinks. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in the consumption of the drinks.

The implementation of the policy on taxation of sugared drinks would make manufacturers develop sugarless products. As a result, there would a decreased consumption of sugared products as consumers would now focus on the cheaper sugarless products. A reduction in the consumption of sugared products would lead to better health outcomes since there would be reduced cases of obesity and overweight.

However, opponents would come up with different points in an attempt to resist the policy change involving the taxation of sugared drinks. For instance, taxation of sugared drinks would lead to reduced consumption of the drunks (Paz, 2020). This would negatively affect companies and business owners that sell these drinks. As a result, there would be a decline in profit margins making such businesses fall out of favor in the market. However, it is not obvious that taxation of sugared drinks would lead to reduced consumption of the drinks. The sensitivity of the people to changes in price would significantly determine how they behave when the prices of the drinks are raised. For instance, if sugar is addictive, then consumption would not be greatly affected by changes in price. Also, the sellers might absorb the cost of the tax even if the consumers respond to the changes in prices (James et al., 2008). If the taxation of the sugared drinks would lead to higher prices of the drinks, then the poor will suffer more than the rich. This is because the poor would not have the funds to purchase the drinks even if they need them, just like the rich people. This, in turn, would promote inequality in society.

To get buy-in for the proposed policy changes, the stakeholders who influenced legislation would be involved. These stakeholders include the media, constituents of the community, political leaders, and special interest groups. Before getting help from these groups, it would be necessary to inform them about the proposed policy and its benefits. They would then be given time to evaluate the policy before offering any support. During this time, there would be a discussion with them about the necessary changes to be made.

Overall, the Longest policy model cycle is important in designing the structure of policy changes involving the taxation of sugared sodas and beverages. The three different phases of the model, including the formulation phase, implementation phase, and policy modification phase, would be used in structuring the policy. The policy would be necessary since it would help decrease the public health costs on diseases associated with the use of sugared drinks such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Also, the policy would help reduce cases of obesity and other related conditions since the consumption of these products would decrease due to the increased prices. However, the implementation of the policy would make several business owners and companies fall out of favor. Therefore, both the pros and cons of implementing the policy should be considered.

References

Briggs, A. D. M., Mytton, O. T., Kehlbacher, A., Tiffin, R., Rayner, M., & Scarborough, P. (2013). Overall and income specific effect on prevalence of overweight and obesity of 20% sugar sweetened drink tax in UK: Econometric and comparative risk assessment modelling study. BMJ (Online), 347(October), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f6189

James, W. P. T., Veerman, J. L., Tollman, S. M., Bertram, M. Y., Hofman, K. J., James, W., Malik, V., Willett, W., Hu, F., Swinburn, B., Sacks, G., Hall, K., McPherson, K., Finegood, D., Moodie, M., Gortmaker, S., Chaput, J., Tremblay, A., Lim, S., … Smith, R. (2008). Evidence that a tax on sugar sweetened beverages reduces the obesity rate: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity, 32(1), S120–S126. http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/ijo.2008.247

Paz, F. (2020). Guess what’s for dinner tonight ? Obesity. International Food Policy and Research.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve Public Health Paper

Instructions

Using a Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve the Public’s Health

In a Microsoft Word document of 2-3 pages formatted in APA style, you will focus on the methods to develop a change in policy to improve the public’s health by using a health policy model.

Health Policy Model to Develop a Change in Policy to Improve Public Health Paper

Suppose you want to initiate a policy of taxing sugared sodas/pop/beverages in your community. In your paper, address each of the following criteria:

1. Use the Longest’s policy cycle model to structure your proposed policy.
2. What arguments would you use to make the case for the policy?
3. What argument(s) would your opponents make?
4. How would you go about getting buy-in for your proposed policy?
   • What stakeholder groups need to be involved in promoting your policy?

• APA Citation Helper
• APA Citations Quick Sheet
• APA-Style Formatting Guidelines for a Written Essay
• Basic Essay Template

Please note that the title and reference pages should not be included in the total page count of your paper.