How are food supply and nutrition impacted by the increasing population size?

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The US Census Bureau reports that there are nearly seven billion people in the world (US Census Bureau, 2011). The increase in population size over recent decades has created, and will continue to create, environmental and public health concerns. A larger population consumes already limited resources and energy and creates more waste and pollution. A larger population also exacerbates public health issues. For example, a boost in population size can lead to an increase in rates of infectious disease, homelessness, and poverty.

Currently, different parts of the world have varying population growth rates. Population growth in more developed countries is slowing down. For example, between 2005 and 2010, women from North America had an average of only two children in their lifetime. However, population growth rates in developing countries are still quite high. Specifically, between 2005 and 2010, women from Africa had an average of 4.6 children in their lifetime (United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2007).

In this assignment, you will estimate future population sizes and their potential link to environmental health.

Using the readings for this module, Argosy University online library resources, as well as resources from reliable academic or governmental organizations, write a paper that addresses the following:

  • Estimate the predicted population size for the world in the year 2060. Be sure to justify your estimate as well as cite and explain the resources you used.

  • Identify a single disease that significantly increases in prevalence when the human population increases in size. Address the following based on this information:

    • Why is this issue likely to increase with an increasing population size?

    • Are there any countries in particular that will be affected by this issue more than others? What will cause this discrepancy?

    • How are food supply and nutrition impacted by the increasing population size? When considering nutrition, do you think some countries will be more susceptible than others? Explain and support your answer.

    • What are governmental agencies currently doing to prevent or mitigate concerns of inadequate food supply and nutrition because of population growth?

    • Based on your research, do you believe that these policies would change if the population growth increases dramatically by 2060?

Compare and contrast the ways that state and local governments can work with health care organizations to foster integration between primary care and public health

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Compare and contrast the ways that state and local governments can work with health care organizations to foster integration between primary care and public health

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 500–700 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

  • Compare and contrast the ways that state and local governments can work with health care organizations to foster integration between primary care and public health.
  • Additionally, discuss the importance of linking primary care and public health and some of the challenges in doing so.

Note: Use APA style and at least 2 scholarly references.

Compare and contrast the ways that state and local governments can work with health care organizations to foster integration between primary care and public health

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 500–700 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

  • Compare and contrast the ways that state and local governments can work with health care organizations to foster integration between primary care and public health.
  • Additionally, discuss the importance of linking primary care and public health and some of the challenges in doing so.

Note: Use APA style and at least 2 scholarly references.

Discuss the importance of epidemiology to public health

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Part II

Discuss the importance of epidemiology to public health. Provide one current example of disease outbreak and how knowledge of its epidemiology can help health care professionals protect people from disease. (HINT: The CDC and WHO websites are excellent sources of information for this topic).

You may use the readings from your Boundless etext as a scholarly reference to complete Part II. Include a References section that lists these and any additional sources you used (refer to the Background page). For any additional research you do to complete your assignment, please use scholarly references such as a peer-reviewed journal article or a government-sponsored or university-sponsored website. As you read through your sources, take notes from your sources and then write your paper in your own words, describing what you have learned from your research. Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for example (Murray, 2014).

Advocating for Public Health Policy

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Advocating for Public Health Policy

Imagine that you have been chosen to represent a public health advocacy group as they begin a campaign to get legislation related to a health issue passed in your state legislature. You have been tasked with the role of presenting a proposed policy to the legislature and advocating that the legislature vote for the policy. You have been told that you will have 10 minutes to present to the legislature. Your presentation should be informative, but also persuasive. The legislature will need to make a decision about whether or not to vote for the policy based on your presentation. Your presentation should be structured exactly as if you were “live” in front of the legislature advocating for them to adopt the policy you are proposing.

For your assignment, you will need to select a public health topic of interest to you (you are encouraged to choose one related to your academic major or intended field of work) and a public health policy related to addressing the topic. You may select an actual proposed policy or create one that you think would effectively address the topic. Your presentation should provide enough information about the topic and the proposed policy that a reasonably educated legislator should be able to make an informed decision. Be sure to consider the various questions that a legislator might have about the issue and proposed policy, such as long-term costs and benefits, potential effects on business and industry (especially those that support politicians’ campaigns), and how the policy will support the health and productivity of state residents.

For this assignment, you should create an approximately 10 minute presentation* that addresses each of the following points:

  • Discuss the public health issue that your proposed policy is intended to address. Questions to consider:
    • Who does this health issue affect?
    • What is the impact of this health issue on the community?
    • Why does this health issue need to be addressed?
  • Explain the proposed public health policy. Questions to consider:
    • Who will be affected by this policy?
    • How will this policy address the health issue?
    • What will change by enacting this policy?
  • Evaluate the impacts of the proposed policy. Questions to consider:
    • What are the costs and benefits of the policy?
    • What are the risks of enacting or not enacting the policy?
    • How will the lives of people who are affected by the health issue change if this policy is enacted?
  • Create an influential presentation that affects voting behaviors of legislators. Questions to consider:
    • What information about this policy would potentially affect the voting behavior of legislators from across the political spectrum (eg. conservative, moderate, liberal, progressive; particularly those who might not support the policy based on political orientation)?
    • What are the most important messages that legislators need to hear about this policy?
    • How would the constituents of the legislators voting for this policy feel about this policy and a legislator who votes for it?
    • What information would a legislator need to “sell” the policy to consitutents who were perhaps not in favor of adopting the policy?