So What? Why Theories and Models Matter

Think back in time, before you decided to enter the public health field. Recall a health issue encountered by you or someone you know personally, such as immunizations, bullying, or lice outbreaks.

• Briefly describe how you or someone else dealt with the issue.
• Find a theory or a model related to the issue you chose and discuss how it expands your thinking about the issue:
  • Discuss new information found through your research.
  • Use APA style and format to cite any sources.

Social and Behavioral Models

• Search the Internet for definitions of the phrase behavioral model.
• Based on the assigned readings in this unit and your Internet search, answer the following questions:
  • How do behavioral models help public health professionals make decisions or take action?
  • What is an example of a social or a behavioral model that you find useful in your professional or personal life? Why or how specifically is it useful for you?
  • Which aspects of the concept of social and behavioral models do you find vague or confusing?
• Cite the resources you used that helped you answer these questions in APA style and format.

The Role of Theory in Public Health

• Search the Internet for definitions of the word theory.
• Based on the assigned readings in this unit and your Internet search, answer the following questions:
  • How do theories help public health professionals make decisions?
  • How do you determine if a theory is valid and useful? 
  • Which aspects of the concept of theory do you find confusing or vague?
• Cite the resources you used to help answer these questions in current APA style and format.

Is Health Care a Right?

For this discussion, consider your personal or family health care experiences, costs, and challenges over the past year and answer one of the following questions:

• What is the best evidence in favor of and against the proposition that medical care in the United States should be a right rather than a privilege? 
• What are three or more situations in which state or federal government provides financial support for medical services, and what reasons can be used to justify taxpayer funding of these services?

Public Health and Health Care

Overview

The purpose of this assignment is to compare and contrast the different ways two disciplines, public health and health care, address a public health issue. You will use the Public Health and Health Care Table Excel file (linked in Resources) to complete this assignment. Note: Tobacco was used as an example of a public health issue in the template. You must select a different issue.

To fully understand how this assignment will be graded, be sure to read the Public Health and Health Care Scoring Guide carefully. A set of Guiding Questions is also linked in Resources to help you complete this assignment.

Preparation

Refer to the Leading Health Indicators on the Healthy People 2020 Web site (linked in Resources).

• Select one of the high-priority health issues identified by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (other than tobacco use) as your t