With having had past knowledge on the issues of the lead in water in Flint, Michigan, I
would address the public significantly different than how I would address the policy
makers. Reaching out to the public, I would talk to them with empathy. They are all going
through a life altering time which is one that can greatly affect their health in the long run.
In placing myself in the shoes of the residence of Flint, I can imagine that they would be
fearful, discerning, and full of concern as to what is next for themselves and their
community. The loss of a major resource of safe water affects not only their ability to stay
hydrated but also affects their ability to stay hygienic and the ability to eat foods safe from
the lead in the water used to clean it. Just as I have recited an oath for the code of ethics in
dental hygiene, it is great to hear that there is a code of ethics set specifically for the public
health sector. The Public Health Leadership Society (2002) set the code of ethics for the
public health sector through twelve principles. The principles range from timeliness,
implementation, confidentiality, and to professional competence. This is a set of guiding
tools to help us when reaching out to communities and helping create change. Reynolds
(n.d.) has noted how to reduce fear and anxiety within the population that include:
“executing a solid communication plan, being the first source for information, expressing
empathy early, showing competence and expertise and remaining honest and open”
keeping cultural sensitivity in mind (p 9-12).
Rowitz (2014) lays out steps that focus on message mapping this high-risk issue: know the
specific stakeholders, writing out a list of each policy makers “specific concerns (SC)”,
scrutinizing each SC to identify the primary concern for each specific stakeholder, creating
three main messages addressing the SC, providing supplementary and credible sources to
these three points, presentation of information to specific entities directly also addressing
general public (p.435). From these steps in addressing policymakers, I would get straight to
the point providing to them the research and sources available of statistics that represent
the severity of the issue at hand. Sharing with them how this issues directly affects them as
stakeholders with a focused message shares create action steps that policymakers can
associate with in order to help make that change and set the laws that govern to better help
the health of the public. Addressing them in a way to persuade them all the while
understanding the processes that need to be made when policy making.
References
Public Health Leadership Society (2002). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Principles of the ethical practice of public health.
Policy Adoption 2
Public health and public adoption and policies tend to be inseparable, particularly in
managing matters of administration, regarding being transparent, responsible, dedicated, and
observing the rule of law. Against this foundation, public health principles, both in adoption and
practice, must be examined with the goal that the public organization’s function is
comprehended, just as practices in public institutions, specifically public health services (Buse,
Mays, & Walt. 2012). In the U.S., public health policy development and answers to challenges
are formed through correctly argued out debates. This stage is carried out through several severe
exchanges among parties (Buse, Mays, & Walt. 2012).
Leading authorities, affiliates, and other public or privates organizations must present and
support their objectives and those of individuals they represent, with some offering contrary
opinions. The different concerns include resource allocation, religious rights, or gender equality
or sustaining specific ongoing programs. America’s health policy approaches are, in this way,
realized substantially through strategies based on science, inclusivity, and health considerations.
During public health policy formation, different stakeholders’ opinions and evidence ought to be
well-argued out, and its valid contributions considered during policy-making and
implementation.
Policy Adoption 3
References
Buse, K., Mays, N., & Walt, G. (2012). Making health policy. McGraw-hill education
(U.K.).