For the Unit VII Case Study, you will take on the role of a public health leader in your community and develop a plan for other officials that addresses the following.
1. Describe a social determinant of health in your community that has produced health risks and outcomes.
2. Based on your research, what do you see as the biggest issue facing your community?
3. Describe how the community is presently tackling the problem through the local public health department.
4. Propose a resolution for the health risk and outcome caused by the social determinants.
5. Explain how these unhealthy behaviors and attributes could be reduced or eradicated in the society.
6. How would you reduce medical costs in your community?
7. Explain how the government can implement your plan into law for the common good.
Your case study must be a minimum of three pages in length
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
Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Community: A Case Study
Introduction
As a public health leader in the community, it is imperative to identify and address social determinants of health that contribute to health risks and outcomes. This case study will focus on a social determinant of health in the community, identify the biggest issue facing the community, describe current efforts by the local public health department, propose a resolution for the health risk, discuss strategies for reducing unhealthy behaviors and attributes, outline methods to reduce medical costs, and explore how the government can implement the plan into law for the common good.
1. Social Determinant of Health in the Community
In our community, one social determinant of health that produces health risks and outcomes is socioeconomic status. Low socioeconomic status is associated with limited access to quality healthcare, inadequate nutrition, substandard housing conditions, and increased exposure to environmental hazards. These factors contribute to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and overall poor health outcomes.
2. The Biggest Issue Facing the Community
After conducting extensive research, it has become evident that the biggest issue facing our community is health disparities. Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes between different population groups due to various factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. These disparities result in unequal distribution of health resources and opportunities, leading to preventable diseases and premature deaths among disadvantaged populations.
3. Current Efforts by the Local Public Health Department
The local public health department has implemented several initiatives to address the problem of health disparities in our community. These efforts include community outreach programs, health education campaigns, and collaborations with community organizations. The department has also focused on improving access to healthcare services by establishing clinics in underserved areas and implementing telemedicine programs to reach remote populations.
4. Proposed Resolution for Health Risks
To address the health risks associated with socioeconomic status and reduce health disparities, a comprehensive approach is needed. This involves implementing policies that promote income equality, providing affordable housing options, ensuring access to nutritious food through community gardens and farmers markets, and enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged populations. Additionally, targeted healthcare interventions should be developed to specifically address the needs of underserved communities.
5. Reducing Unhealthy Behaviors and Attributes
To reduce unhealthy behaviors and attributes in our society, a multi-faceted approach is required. This includes implementing public health campaigns that promote healthy lifestyles, such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Additionally, education programs can be established to raise awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare measures, early disease detection, and regular screenings. Collaborations with local schools, community centers, and workplaces can further facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviors.
6. Reducing Medical Costs
To reduce medical costs in our community, emphasis should be placed on preventive care rather than solely focusing on treatment. This can be achieved through promoting regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings to detect diseases at an early stage when they are more manageable and less costly to treat. Additionally, encouraging healthy behaviors and lifestyles can help prevent or manage chronic diseases, reducing the financial burden on the healthcare system.
7. Implementing the Plan into Law for the Common Good
To ensure the successful implementation of the proposed plan, government involvement is crucial. The government can enact legislation that addresses social determinants of health, such as increasing the minimum wage to alleviate poverty levels and providing tax incentives for businesses that invest in underserved communities. Furthermore, laws can be enacted to enforce equal access to healthcare services and promote health equity among all population groups. Government funding should also be allocated towards public health initiatives that aim to reduce health disparities and improve overall community health.
Conclusion
Addressing social determinants of health requires a comprehensive approach that involves identifying the underlying factors contributing to health risks and outcomes in a community. By implementing targeted interventions, promoting healthy behaviors, reducing medical costs through preventive care measures, and enacting legislation that supports health equity, we can work towards improving community health outcomes and reducing health disparities for the common good.
