HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 1 Discussion
DQ1 What are social, behavioral, and cultural determinants? How do social, behavioral, and cultural determinants impact public health? Present specific examples within your answer as well as justifying your rationale with evidence. Respond to three other class members’ posts specifically peer-reviewing their answers.
DQ2 Very wealthy or influential public figures (such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates) have become major funders in the global health arena, providing millions to developing countries and/or international organizations. How do you think this will influence the future of public health? What benefits and challenges may develop?
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 2 Discussion
DQ1 Present one theory or model within the field of public health which describes either how people maintain health and/or how illness is caused? Presentation of the theory or model may be submitted in graphic or narrative format. Even if this is not your personal viewpoint/belief, how can these multiple theories and models be beneficial to public health professionals? It is not appropriate to repeat one that has already been posted unless you are providing new information. Review all peer submissions and become familiar with the multiple theories and models. Respond to three peers’s posts asking any questions or verifying your analysis of the theory/model.
DQ2 What role should culture play in how a person’s health issues are handled? Is this demonstrated in the health system today? Support your position with examples and/or evidence.
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 3 Discussion
DQ1 Reflecting on your childhood, what types of barriers/disparities existed that limited your ability to lead a healthier life? Were there any short-term or long-term consequences?
DQ2 To what extent does discrimination and racism create health disparities? Why are some populations more likely to experience health disparities? Support your position with multiple examples.
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 4 Discussion
DQ1 Provide two examples of social institutions that are prevalent in American society and explain their functions. How have social institutions played a part in your health? Do you think their influence was positive or negative? Why?
DQ2 Can health care policy shape the way in which social institutions are viewed by an individual or population group? Support your position with examples and/or evidence.
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 5 Discussion
DQ1 Present a basic case in which an individual would wish to change a long-term health behavior? For example, a 39-year-old female wishes to stop her two-pack-a-day smoking habit which she has had for 10 years. Using various models and theories of behavioral change help create strategies for modifying the patient’s behaviors. Explain the process/methods that could be used to accomplish this goal. Predict how long this may take and what challenges may present themselves? Review three peers’ postings and provide constructive feedback on additional changes which could be beneficial as well as additional insight.
DQ2 Why is health promotion/education such an important component to behavioral change? Why do you think behavioral change is so difficult for an individual?
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 6 Discussion
DQ1 Present one theory or model of behavioral change which would be effective in a population and/or community? Presentation of the theory or model may be submitted in graphic or narrative format. Within your answer, using a scenario format, illustrate how the theory or model could be effective. Review all peer submissions and become familiar with the multiple theories and models. Respond to three peers’ posts asking any questions or verifying your own analysis of the theory/model.
DQ2 How can individual, group, and social efforts be combined to implement community behavioral change? Identify challenges which may result from your suggestions. Review three peers’ postings and provide possible solutions for the challenges that may arise.
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 7 Discussion
DQ1 Find a program (provide a link to the program) which was developed to provide health promotion and education to a specific population. Evaluate this program on its ability to identify with the specific population, on its implementation of effective intervention methods, and on its program planning strategy. This evaluation will be very broad in scope and not as in-depth as your research assignment. Review three peers’ postings, access the program links, and compare your assessment to theirs? What additional insights do you have?
DQ2 Find a media publication with a health message. Share the link. What population is this publication targeting and how do you know? Do you think it is effective or not? Why?
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 8 Discussion
DQ1 In March 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. Will this legislation help decrease or eliminate health disparities? Can it be more effective? Use the Kaiser Family Foundation’s “Focus on Health Reform: Summary of the New Health Reform Law,” assigned as reading for this module, for a reference.
DQ2 Is it possible to eliminate health disparities in the United States? Why or why not? What are some of the key strategies advocated by the readings? Do you notice any similar themes in the assigned articles?
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 2 Assignment
Interactive Media Assessment
Access the interactive media piece, “Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Public Health: Increasing Cultural Competency.”
Navigate and review the information in the interactive media piece and complete the assessment at the end. The assessment is based on the information presented in the media piece (although you may also apply what you have learned from other course readings to complete the assessment).
After completing the assessment, save the document as an Acrobat PDF file and submit the assignment to the instructor.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 4 Assignment
Article Critique
Directions: For this assignment, you will select and critique one article from a popular media source (e.g., newspaper, magazine, news journal, etc.) that provides information regarding a health disparity within a population group and complete the questions below. Please make sure to use complete sentences when answering each question. Make sure the health disparity is different from your research assignment. In addition, the article must have been published within the last 2 years.
1) Provide the article reference and link. (1point)
2) What health disparity is the article highlighting? (1point)
3) Why is this information newsworthy? How would it benefit the public health community? (3 points)
4) What causes and factors contributed to the health disparity? (2 points)
5) How does the health disparity affect health outcomes? (3 points)
6) Does the article make any recommendations or suggest resources that could benefit the public? If not, what suggestions or recommendations would you suggest? (2 points)
7) Was the article well-written? Justify your rationale? (3 points)
8) Did it include all pertinent information? Justify your rationale? (2 points)
9) Was there information or a perspective that the article should have included? If so, what? What else would you have like to have seen? (3 points)
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 6 Assignment
Collaborative Learning Community: Peer Review of Research Paper
This is a CLC assignment.
The final Research Paper is assigned and due in Topic 7.
For this peer review assignment:
On Day 1 of Topic 6, post the rough draft of your Research Paper to the CLC Forum.
Selected members will review their assigned papers by completing the “Peer Review Guide.” If a team member does not submit a final draft, contact the instructor, and an additional peer review will be done on another paper.
Post the completed “Peer Review Guide” to the thread of the initial paper.
Submit the completed “Peer Review Guide” to the instructor.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Peer Review Guide
Directions:Read through the questions below then proceed to peer-review one class member’s paper. For questions which do not require a yes/no response, answers should be longer than one sentence and provide constructive feedback. You will be graded on your ability to accurately and thoroughly evaluateapeer’s work in order to maintain or enhance its quality.
Author:
Peer Reviewer:
1) Does the writer provide an introduction which is a concise synopsis of the purpose of the paper and a general introduction to the target population and the health issue?
0Yes0 No
2) What components of the assignment criteria need additional clarity?
3) Was there anything that was confusing?0 Yes 0 No
If yes, what was it?
4) Are the details and examples supportive to the topics? 0 Yes 0 No
If no, what needs clarification?
5) What is good about the writing? Why is it good?
6) What errors need to be corrected?
7) What specific suggestions for improvement can you make?
8) Does the conclusion make recommendations to resolve the health issue within the target population based on current literature?0Yes0 No
9) Are two peer-reviewed resources used?0Yes0 No
10) Have APA guidelines been followed?0Yes0 No
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 7 Assignment
Research Paper
For this assignment, you are to select a target population with a specific health issue and research how social, cultural, and behavior factors of the target population contribute to health outcomes associated with the health issue. The 1,200-1,500 word Research Paper must including the following:
Introduction: Provide a concise synopsis of the purpose of the paper and a general introduction to the target population and the health issue.
Target Population: Provide a description about the target population that you have selected; provide demographic information about the population; and discuss relevant social, cultural, and behavior factors that affect this population.
Health Issue: Provide information discussing the health issue that you have selected; include a history of knowledge and public health understanding regarding the health issue; how it has evolved; biological and epidemiological information related to the disease; and major social, cultural, and behavior factors that affect or relate to the health issue.
Relationship Between Health Issue and Target Population: Analyze how social, cultural, and behavior factors in the target population contribute to the health issue; and identify what factors/characteristics are positive or negative and which behaviors/practices/beliefs serve as risk factors or protective factors.
Current Strategies/Interventions: Discuss existing programming to prevent or reduce the health issue within the target population and challenges to interventions and programming.
Recommendations/Conclusion: Make recommendations to resolve the health issue within the target population based on your review of current literature and what you have learned throughout the course.
Minimum of Five References: Use the GCU Library to locate at least five resources, including at least two peer-reviewed articles.
Refer to the “Academic Writing Guidelines Resource.”
Be prepared to present a rough draft of your Research Paper for peer review at the beginning of Topic 6.
Use the completed “Peer Review Guide” from Topic 6 in making revisions and modifications to the final draft of your Research Paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Academic Writing Guidelines Resource
Description Guidelines and Examples
Organization and
Structure Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning that ties the piece together from beginning to ending.
A piece of solid academic writing:
• Begins with an introduction regarding the piece’s primary purpose or theme, which prepares the reader for what is to come (i.e., thesis statement).
• Ends with a conclusion that summarizes the key points of the piece, draws conclusions, and generally provides closure for the reader.
The body of a piece of academic writing can be organized around a variety of structures.
Examples of organizing structures:
• Main idea/thesis, with supporting details/evidence
• Comparison-contrast
• Deductive logic
• Point-by-point analysis
• Development of central theme
• Chronology or history (e.g., of an event, process, era)
Solid academic writing uses transitional words and phrases to provide logical connections and sequencing. Examples of transitional words:
• Addition: also, again, as well as, besides
• Consequence: accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason.
• Generalizing: as a rule, as usual, generally
• Illustration: for example, for instance, for one thing.
• Emphasis: above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly
• Similarity: comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly
• Exception: aside from, barring, besides, except, excluding
• Restatement: in essence, in other words, namely
• Comparison: in contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise
• Summarizing: after all, all in all, briefly, in any case, in any event, in conclusion, in short, in summary, finally
Conventions and
Mechanics Description Guidelines and Examples
Solid academic writing is characterized by the proper use of conventions and mechanics, including: spelling, grammar, paragraphing, capitalization, and punctuation.
Examples of conventions and mechanics in academic writing:
• Proper use of capitalization, punctuation, and quotation marks.
• Subject/verb agreement.
• Proper use of pronouns.
• Technical abbreviations, acronyms, and units of measurement.
• Paragraphs that are indented; consisting of three or more sentences.
• Use of title page, headers, and footers.
• Avoid the use of: contractions, incomplete and run-on sentences.
Word Choice and Usage In solid academic writing, the use of language is precise, with correct word usage and appropriate word choice.
Guidelines for language use:
• In good descriptive writing, strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas.
• In persuasive writing, careful word choice moves the reader to a new vision of possibilities.
• Effective word choice depends less on an exceptional vocabulary and more on the skill to use everyday words well.
• Use a thesaurus for new words with more specific meaning: For example, “pronounce” for “say,” or “embarkation” for “start.” In academic writing, “it” as the subject of a sentence is not acceptable. Make sure the reader knows what the subject of each sentence is.
Research and Resources In solid academic writing, it is at times necessary to support your thesis or argument with outside research. Use of proper resources for accurate and thoughtful support of any argument or position is essential in academic writing. Some strongly recommended sources for student use are:
GCU Library for search engines located at: http://library.gcu.edu
For instructions on how to use the GCU library, access and view our tutorials at:
http://my.gcu.edu/Academics/Library/Pages/Help.aspx
For good research techniques, view the tutorials in the Student Success Center.
Other Resources:
• Online Writing Lab at Purdue University:http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
• Google Scholar:http://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en&tab=ws
• ProQuest:http://www.proquest.com/en-US/
• Lexis/Nexis
• Northern Light Search:http://www.nlsearch.com/home.php
• INFOMINE Scholarly Internet Research Connections:http://infomine.ucr.edu/
Additional Resources:
1) “Mechanics of Writing”:http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/0131428993/samplechapter/0131428993_ch01.pdf
2) “Key Terms in Academic Writing”:http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/0/388b46277676ac8b852569cf00615929?OpenDocument
3) “Academic Writing Skills”:http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Academic-Writing-Skills.html
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 8 Assignment
Establishing My Academic and Career Path
As you begin the transition from academic courses to career opportunities, reflect on how the strategies already discussed can help to guide you through the process. Consider the degree path you have chosen and what additional skills or activities you should engage in beyond the academic learning in your courses to be successful. What initiatives and goals do you have for this career? Begin and continue to establish your academic journey and career goals.
Individual courses within the program will offer opportunities through assignments that develop particular skills pertinent to specific career requirements and transfer of acquired knowledge. Other courses and specific assignments such as interview, practicum, and capstone projects provide opportunities for students to be exposed to relevant problems and creative activities in health care. These opportunities will require students to apply techniques acquired from the classroom to active investigation with experienced mentors in the field.
Research where to find career openings in your chosen field, select a position you might be interested in, and identify the qualifications and experience required. Identify these requirements as you progress through the coursework provided in your program. Take initiative to inquire and explore as you make connections with your coursework and career goals. Some items to consider further are membership in a professional association, the use of Internet job boards for research into future trends, licensure compliance throughout the country/world, and occupational conditions such as location, shifts worked, required equipment, or safety standards.
Listed below are some suggestions related to the types of information that you may want to include in this section of the document:
1) Who? Who would make up my network (e.g., peers, instructors, professionals, colleagues) essential to success in my chosen field in relation to this particular course?
2) What?What are my findings from researching competencies and/or certification requirements for my specific job role in relation to this course?
3) When?When should I begin to make the connection between my course of study and my career goals?
4) Where? Where does this course fit in my career goals? Where could I schedule an interview or internship to bridge the theory in my course with the practice of a job in the field?
5) Why?Why are peer-reviewed articles important and what is the significance of them in a career in health care?
6) How? How does this course relate to the requirements of my career goals? How can I make a link between the course and career experience that I need?
Focus on the concepts and skills learned from this course and spend time reflecting on Who, What, When, Where, Why or How, in establishing your academic and career path. Examples are provided below. The table will continue to expand as you progress through the course.
Date Category
(Who, What, When, Where, Why or How) Comment Required Follow-Up
1/21/2011
Who EXAMPLE:Donald Duck – Current manager of the T& D department at ABC hospital.He has agreed to act as a professional mentor as I complete this program.We discussed the capstone project deliverable and steps required for approval.
Who
Who
1/29/2011
What EXAMPLE:Read an article entitled, “Health Care Delivery Dynamics.” This may be my target topic for project:
What
2/10/2011
When EXAMPLE:Obtain evidence research project approval from ABC hospital. (5/31/2010)
2/17/2011
Where EXAMPLE:Professional health care association – ACHE (American College Health Care Executives) Made contact and inquiries.
Where
2/24/2011
Why EXAMPLE:Based on recent readings, identify five reasons the project would be beneficial to my organization (improve patient care, enhance hospital efficiency, save money, make money, improve quality).
Why
03/02/2011
How EXAMPLE:
Tour health care setting (hospital, nursing home, home health agencies or insurance company) facility and interview IT security officer to gain understanding in the field (04/12/2010)
How
HLT515 Social Behavior and Cultural Factor in Public Health
Week 8 Assignment
Case Study
Directions:For this assignment, answer the following questions based on the case study, “Applying Exercise State of Change to a Low-Income Underserved Population”. Use complete sentences when answering each question. Answers to each question should be more than one sentence in length.
1) What was the behavior change theory that was used for this study? Why was this theory selected? Do you think it was the best choice for this study design? How was this model measured? (4 points)
2) Who was the target population for this study? Why was this population group selected? (4 points)
3) Propose how social disparities may have been a factor in the study results. (4 pts)
4) How can this study be used for future research on behavioral change within this population group? (4 points)
5) What are some limitations to this study? Will these limitations affect the applicability of the transtheoretical model to other low-income populations? (4 points)