Week 1 discussion
DQ1
Public health practice was initially concerned with infectious and environmentally related diseases, but in recent years has evolved to focus more on injury prevention, substance abuse, violence, tobacco-related, and other chronic diseases. Present at least one pivotal legal and historical occurrence that resulted in this shift of public health effort. Justify your rationale with supportive evidence.
DQ2
Review the Ten Great Public Health Achievements (Exhibit 2.3) of your textbook. Select one of the 10 achievements. What is the importance of your chosen achievement to society? In your own words, defend its right to be considered a “Great Public Health Achievement.” Select three other peers' postings and debate their analysis. Keep in mind all postings should be substantive and well supported with examples, details, and evidence. Brief responses are not appropriate.
Week 2 discussion
DQ1
Focus on a “current event” ethical dilemma in public health. Apply the principles of the ethical practices of public health to resolve the issue (see page 125 of the textbook). You may integrate recommendations based on conclusions from public health acts and principles to support your position. Select three other peers' postings and provide feedback on the presented resolution. Offer further suggestions, details, or examples.
DQ2
State agencies typically follow one of two general structure models: the free-standing agency model or the super agency model. What are the pros and cons of each model? Which model do you think is “ideal” for a state agency and why?
Week 3 discussion
DQ1
Within a budget there are two categories: mandatory and discretionary. In which categories do most public health programs fall? Provide an example of an expenditure that is considered mandatory. Justify your rationale. Provide an example of an expenditure that is discretionary. Justify your rationale.
DQ2
What are the responsibilities and role of the Appropriations Committee? What is the importance of this committee to public health spending as it relates to Medicaid and Medicare?
Week 4 discussion
DQ1
The public health workforce is found in both population-based and institutional services that stem from the official public health agencies. What are the most frequent employment sites for health care workers? Present an example of an organization, institution, or agency that would be categorized under each service, population-based and institutional. Provide an example of a job title and an associated job description at each level of service. Select three other peers' postings to peer review. Provide appropriate feedback.
DQ2
Review the Root Cause Analysis Topic Materials to learn more about conducting a root cause analysis. Using the “Root Cause Analysis Template,” conduct a root cause analysis of the “Root Cause Analysis Scenario.” Post a description of the problem and a summary of your root cause analysis, including recommendations for proposed action to eliminate the problem from reoccurring. Select other peers' postings to peer review. Provide appropriate feedback.
Week 5 discussion
DQ1
Identify five sources of data available at the federal level. What is the importance of each data source in public health funding and surveillance? Describe the information/content that can be found in these data sources. Present an example of an industry that might find each of these data sources useful.
DQ2
What is the difference between service-based and population-based applications for information systems in public health organizations? Present an example of each application and justify your rationale. Select three other peers' postings to peer review. Provide appropriate feedback.
Week 8 discussion
DQ1
As it relates to the development and management of public health assessment activities, what is your response to the following statement?
It is suggested that the assessment process is driven by decisions made by the community members themselves, rather than by influences from the outside community.
Select three other peers' postings and debate their response. Keep in mind all postings should be substantive and well supported with examples, details, and evidence. Brief responses are not appropriate.
DQ2
What are the four organizational strategy types? Describe how an organization chooses which strategy to implement.
Week 9 discussion
DQ1
Provide an example of the three prevention strategies: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention as they relate to disaster epidemiology. Justify your rationale. Select three other peers' postings and debate their responses.
DQ2
How are surveillance systems used in post-disaster situations? Support your answer with examples and evidence.
Week 10 discussion
DQ1
Explain the life cycle of public health partnerships. Why are collaborative partnerships important? What reasons or issues lead to the termination of partnerships?
DQ2
What is the difference between intervention research and systems research? Provide an example of a public health advancement or accomplishment that represents each type of research. In addition, explain the role of systems research and the integration of systems theory for public health programs implemented within community-based organizations. Justify your rationale.
