Changing health policies

 Health promotion campaigns have the ability to affect policy change in various ways. Since health promotion campaigns and health policy affect whole communities, it is necessary to understand the needs and capabilities of each community and organization that could be affected by new health policies.

 

 

 The first step in determining new policies that could be developed to enhance a new health promotion program is to determine community and organizational readiness for policy development (Aratani, Schwarz, & Skinner, 2011). For example, if looking to implement a new oral health promotion program, it is necessary to analyze current research that will show the need for oral health promotion as well as new health policy. For example, research could show that it is necessary to address oral health because current data states that tooth decay and gum disease affecting over 80% of schoolchildren world-wide (Mitchell, 2006). New health policies that could be developed to address this need would have to take into account the readiness and support of families, as well as the readiness and support of project partners such as local dental offices, local schools, and local after-school programs. New health policies all of the factors mentioned above in order to be successful and have a positive influence on local communities.

 Once community and organizational readiness and support has been established in support of a new health policy, it is necessary to identify the goals of the health promotion campaign that can be assisted by the creation of new health policies (Aratani, Schwarz, & Skinner, 2011). For example, if a new oral health promotion program had the goal of decreasing the percentage of children affected by dental caries, then any new policies must address this issue directly. Research shows that a primary cause of dental caries is excessive consumption of sugary, starchy, or acidic foods or drinks (Mitchell, 2006). Therefore, an effective new health policy that could aid in reaching the goals of the new oral health promotion program would address eliminating or limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

New policies to support health promotion programs much incorporate local community infrastructure. For example, targeting and incorporating local schools could ensure maximum participation and compliance with policies and programs aimed at improving oral health among children. This is because schools provide an important setting for promoting oral health, as they reach over 1 billion children worldwide (Mitchell, 2006). This policy could also be coupled with providing a healthy snack, such as a free piece of fruit, daily in schools. In Norway, providing a free piece of fruit or a vegetable has been found to be an effective strategy to increase schoolchildren’s intake of fruits and vegetables and promote better oral health and better health in general (Bere, Veierod, & Klepp, 2005).

 

Aratani, Y., Schwarz, S.W., & Skinner, C. (2011). The economic impact of adolescent health promotion policies and programs. Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, 22(3), 367-86.

Bere, E., Veierod, M. B., & Klepp, K. I. (2005). The Norwegian school fruit programme: Evaluating paid vs. no cost subscriptions. Preventive Medicine, 41. 463-470.  

 Mitchell, H. L. (2006). Sweeteners and sugar alternatives in food technology. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

 

 Health Program Evaluation

 It is necessary to perform continual evaluation and measures in order to know how effective, efficient, and successful a new health promotion program is after implementation. Various methods measurement exists to aid in program evaluation.

 

 

 The first step in determining an optimal evaluation method is to clarify the purpose of the health promotion campaign and engage community partners to aid in the process of gathering resources and funds (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011). For example, a new oral health promotion program may aim to promote overall oral health, improve access to dental services, and reduce the occurrence of dental caries. The community partners, such as local dentists, local schools, and after school programs for children can assist in the evaluation process. These partners can assist in the promotion, implementation, and tracking of the new program by volunteering time, staff, and resources as well as offering data about the children seen through the program.

 Once the purpose of the health promotion campaign is established and community partners are involved, it is necessary to choose the best evaluation method and determine the appropriate methods of measurement. The primary methods of evaluation are formative, process, summative, or a combination of the processes. A formative evaluation is undertaken during the initial, or design, phase of a project and answers questions about how to improve and refine a developing or ongoing program (Singh, 2007). Process evaluations answer questions about the types and quantities of services delivered, the beneficiaries of those services, the resources used to deliver the services, the practical problems encountered, and the ways such problems were resolved (Singh, 2007). Summative evaluations are conducted at a program's end and usually include a synthesis of process and impact that answers questions about program quality for the purposes of accountability and decision making (Singh, 2007).

 Evaluation measurements can be qualitative or quantitative and can be collected through various direct and indirect means at different times throughout the life of the program. Quantitative measurements assess objectives by collecting numeric data and performing statistical analysis on the data, while qualitative data assess objectives based on descriptive data (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011). Direct methods of measurement include length and time measurements, while indirect methods of measurement include surveys and interviews (Brug, Tak, & Te Velde, 2011).

 

Brug, J., Tak, N.I., & Te Velde, S.J. (2011). Evaluation of nationwide health promotion campaigns in The Netherlands: an exploration of practices, wishes and opportunities. Health Promotion International, 26(2), 244-254.

 Singh, K. (2007). Quantitative social research methods. London: Sage Publications.University of Toronto, Centre for Health Promotion, the Health Communication Unit. (n.d.).

Identifying a need: The state of oral health care among the children of New York

 When identifying a need for a health promotion campaign, it is necessary to outline the current state of the issue, and the opportunity that exists to improve the issue. For example, it has been identified that there is a need for an oral health program for the children in New York. According to U.S. News (2011), 33 million Americans live in areas that are underserved by dental health professionals, and 4.6 million children went without dental checkups in 2008 because their families could not afford them. This is particularly a problem in the state of New York where many communities are underserved by oral health providers and services.

 

 

 Identifying a need for a new health promotion program involved identifying current barriers that affect the issue. Barriers to dental services in New York disproportionately affect children. The most commonly affected children live in rural and underserved areas, making access to care a primary concern for improving oral health in the children in New York. Dental diseases are more prevalent in populations whose access to oral health services is compromised by the inability to pay for services, lack of adequate insurance coverage, lack of availability of providers and services, transportation barriers, language barriers and complexity of oral and medical conditions (SCAA, 2005).

 Improved oral health among children is important in every community because, according to the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (2005), starting children off with good dental habits will help them retain these habits into adulthood. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy goes on to state that a lack of access to care and knowledge about oral health are some of the biggest causal factors of poor oral health among children in New York. These statistics show that affecting the information barrier about oral health among the children of New York is a significant need.

 One recommendation of how to improve the education and information goal mentioned above is to establish more innovative service sites for dissemination of information, such as mobile vans, expanded hours, school-linked services, and case management programs (SCAA, 2005). Also, it is necessary to target rural and low income areas by providing low-cost or free services and incentives for seeking out oral health care services and information. In addition, continual training of new and existing dental personnel is a vital step in addressing the needs state above, as well as community outreach and the proper use of media sources.

 

Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. (2005). Children’s oral health care. Children’s Policy Agenda. Albany, NY: Schuyler Center Publishing.

U. S. News. (2011, July). Millions of Americans lack access to dental care: Report. Retrieved from: http://www.usnews.com/mobile/articles_mobile/millions-of-americans-lack-access-to-dental-care-report

Current state of oral health among children

Throughout the Unites States, poor oral health among children is a major concern that requires the implementation of an oral health promotion campaign aimed directly at children. Various studies show that oral health can be closely linked to overall health, and should become a primary focus for everyone at an early age (Mayo Clinic, 2015). In addition, U.S. News (2011) found that 33 million Americans live in areas that are underserved by dental health professionals, and 4.6 million children went without dental checkups in 2008 because their families could not afford them. Figures such as these show that not only does oral health affect a large population, but that these conditions are often going untreated.

 

 

 Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in children (Mayo Clinic, 2015), and is a major population health concern because the general public lacks knowledge about proper oral health for children. For example, it is not common knowledge that dental caries is transmissible from caregiver to child through various unsanitary practices. What makes this health issue even more of a concern is that many children lack access to preventive dental care.

 A major contributing factor to the current state of oral health among children in the US is the inclination toward unhealthy foods. This is an issue that exists in rural and developed communities alike. The most common causes of bad oral health in the US are frequent feeding of sugary drinks and foods to young children, the transmission of caries-causing bacteria from mothers to children, lack of fluoride, and inadequate home care (SCAA, 2005). These statistics identify that parents are part of the problem when it comes to the oral health care of children.

 One recommendation of how to improve the current state of oral health among children in the US would involve changes to current health policies. Once a new policy has been established to support an oral health promotion program, the program is much more likely to succeed and have a positive impact on the local community. Such a policy could aim to:

            1. Increase education on oral health for children and parents

2. Provide outreach through various physical and media sources to low income children and families.

3. Educate each person encountered on the benefits of early and adequate oral health care through various physical and media sources.

             4. Train new dental hygienists and/or practitioners on how to educate children and parents on proper oral health.

 

 

 Mayo Clinic. (2015). Oral health: A window to your overall health. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001

Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. (2005). Children’s oral health care. Children’s Policy Agenda. Albany, NY: Schuyler Center Publishing.
 
U. S. News. (2011, July). Millions of Americans lack access to dental care: Report. Retrieved from: http://www.usnews.com/mobile/articles_mobile/millions-of-americans-lack-access-to-dental-care-report

1.      Funding a health promotion campaign

 When beginning the process of implementing a new health promotion campaign, it is necessary to consider what the potential funding resources could be. There are various potential funding sources for community-based research on health promotion, health education, and health communication that can be identified all over the United States. These sources include both private and public funding agencies, each with its own regulations concerning who is eligible to receive program aid, and how much aid is available. By identifying potential funding for the implementation of a new health promotion program, it is possible to get the aid necessary to make community-based programs successful.

 One of the most common sources of funding for community-based research on health promotion, health education, and health communication is the National Institutes for Health. The National Institutes for Health (NIH) is the principal health research agency of the Federal Government. The NIH is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services composed of 27 distinct institutes and centers with its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland (NIH, 2015). Along with providing funding for health research, the NIH also provides agreements and contracts to help accomplish health program goals. Anyone interested in developing a new health promotion, education, or communication research program may apply for assistance from the NIH. Grants for health-related research and research training projects or activities make up the largest category of funding provided by the NIH. The NIH awards research grants for terms ranging from one to five years (NIH, 2015).

 Another organization that could be a potential funding source for a new health promotion program would be the Environmental Justice Partnership for Communication. This agency funds health research, education, and intervention programs that address improved ways to serve low income, immigrant, and minorities who may be disproportionately exposed to environmental and occupational stressors (Seifer, Kauper-Brown, & Robbins, 2004). The Environmental Justice Partnership for Communication Grant Program will fund a project for up to four years at $225,000 per year (Seifer, Kauper-Brown, & Robbins, 2004). This grant program is particularly applicable to the establishment of new health promotion programs because it aims to improve the health of low income populations which are typically at-risk populations. Examples of current health promotion programs currently funded by the Environmental Justice Partnership for Communication include initiatives to help low-income woman stop smoking, community child health research, and research on other health issues related to low income communities (Baron et al., 2009).

 

 

 One recommendation of how to use funding to promote a new health promotion campaign would be to develop and implement mobile health services that target low income and rural populations. Further resources and funding could be used to aid in the recruitment and retention of skilled and experienced health professionals. Also, such funding and resources could be used to investigate what aspects of poverty lead to experiencing poor health in general. This would include community-based research to determine what specific factors are most relevant to understanding the link between poverty and poor health, as well as low-cost solutions to identified factors.

National Institutes for Health. (2015). Grants. Retrieved from: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

Seifer, S.D., Kauper-Brown, J. & Robbins, A. (2004). Directory of funding sources for community-based participatory research. Seattle, WA and Portland, OR: Community-Campus Partnerships for Health and the Northwest Health Foundation.

Baron, S., Sinclair, R., Payne-Sturges, D., Phelps, J., Zenick, H., Collman, G.., & O'Fallon, L.R. (2009). Partnerships for Environmental and Occupational Justice: Contributions to Research, Capacity and Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 99(Suppl 3), S517–S525.