Discussion:
Provide an example of a public health problem (can be an oral public health problem or a broader public health problem). Please provide a possible public health solution to this problem, and one challenge that could occur in implementing this solution.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Tackling Childhood Obesity: A Public Health Challenge
Introduction: Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem that has reached epidemic proportions globally. It not only affects the physical well-being of children but also has long-term implications for their overall health and quality of life. This essay will explore the public health problem of childhood obesity, propose a possible solution, and discuss a challenge that could arise in implementing this solution.
Thesis statement: Implementing comprehensive school-based interventions that promote healthy eating habits and physical activity can be an effective solution to combat childhood obesity. However, one challenge in implementing these interventions is the need for collaboration between multiple stakeholders and sustained funding.
Body:
1. The public health problem of childhood obesity: Childhood obesity refers to excessive body weight in children and adolescents, which poses numerous health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of overweight or obese children under the age of five globally was estimated to be over 41 million in 2016. The consequences of childhood obesity include an increased risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues.
2. The proposed public health solution: Comprehensive school-based interventions: One possible solution to combat childhood obesity is the implementation of comprehensive school-based interventions that focus on promoting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity. Schools play a pivotal role in shaping children’s behaviors and providing an environment that supports healthy choices. These interventions can include:
Nutrition education: Incorporating nutrition education into the school curriculum can help children develop knowledge about healthy food choices, portion sizes, and the importance of balanced meals.
Healthy food environments: Ensuring that schools offer nutritious meals and snacks in cafeterias, vending machines, and school events can contribute to healthier eating habits among students.
Physical activity promotion: Encouraging regular physical activity through physical education classes, recess breaks, after-school programs, and active transportation options promotes a more active lifestyle.
3. Challenge in implementing comprehensive school-based interventions: Collaboration and funding: A significant challenge in implementing comprehensive school-based interventions is the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including educators, parents, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community organizations. Effective implementation requires coordination between these groups to develop policies, allocate resources, and ensure the sustainability of interventions.
Another challenge lies in securing sustained funding for these interventions. Financing school-based programs may require investment in infrastructure, training for teachers, procurement of healthy food options, and resources for physical activity facilities. Limited funding can hinder the implementation and long-term success of such interventions.
Conclusion: Childhood obesity is a critical public health problem that demands immediate attention. Implementing comprehensive school-based interventions that focus on promoting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity can play a crucial role in combating this issue. However, collaboration among stakeholders and securing sustained funding are challenges that need to be addressed for successful implementation. By working together and investing in the future generations’ health, we can strive towards reducing childhood obesity rates and ensuring a healthier future for our children.
