PURPOSE
           The purpose of the assignment is to allow the student the opportunity to complete an analysis of public health issues from a social justice perspective.

 

STUDENT APPROACH
          I chose to focus on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because of its significant prevalence in the United States today. The spread of STDs can be controlled; however, there are 20 million new cases annually. This paper allowed me to learn how social barriers contribute to the spread of STDs.
    
REASON FOR INCLUSION
          I included this assignment to exhibit my understanding of how cultural and social factors can influence the health and well-being of various populations.  The following objectives were met through this assignment:

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• Teaching

  • Evaluates the efficacy of health promotion and education modalities for use in a variety of settings with diverse populations.

    • Example: Financially disadvantaged racial minorities are at an increased risk for acquiring STDS. Research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of health promotion and education modalities such as the implementation of affordable or low-cost STD clinics. These clinics provide sexual health teaching which raises awareness for STDs. Research found that the implementation of these clinics had positive effects on the health of at-risk individuals and helped to prevent a wider spread of STDs.

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• Leadership

  • Assumes a leadership role within one’s scope of practice as a designer, manager, and coordinator of health care to meet the special needs of populations.

    • Example: The population discussed in this paper consists of African-Americans, Latino-Americans, and Native-Americans who are financially disadvantaged. I was able to assume a leadership role through this assignment through the design, management, and coordination of a plan to reduce and eliminate health disparities that would contribute to an increased risk of acquiring STDs.  This plan included raising awareness and educating at-risk communities and advocating for the protection of the Title X program which provides free or low-cost STD testing.

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• Professionalism

  • Advocates for professional standards of practice using organizational and political processes. 

    • Example: In this assignment, I advocated for the teaching of STD prevention to at-risk populations. I relayed that advocacy can be carried out by others through the Planned Parenthood organization where they have resources and talking points that constituents can utilize to contact their congressmen and urge them to protect Title X.

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• Culture

  • ​Considers the impact of research outcomes and the effect of health and social policies, on persons from diverse backgrounds.

    • Example: This paper discusses how health disparities faced by racial minorities, financially disadvantaged individuals, and those with limited access to health services can influence their risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. Research was included to relay how access to quality access to quality and low-cost STD diagnostic and treatment services can positively affect the sexual health of at-risk individuals and the prevention of STDs into the community. Health and social policies that can reduce the spread of STDs for at-risk populations include community education, affordable or free STD clinics, and the federal Title X program.