Select a public health policy topic.
Write a policy memo to a public official (i.e., governor, mayor, county commission/executive, etc.) summarizing the topic you have selected. Your policy memo must comprise the following sections:
Problem statement. In this section, include an appropriate problem statement. The statement should be a short summary that identifies the focus of the issue. Background. In this section, describe the extent and scope of the problem.
Specify the reasons for which the problem must receive the attention of policy makers?
Summarize what the issue is and why the issue is significant to population health and health policy. Landscape. In this section, identify and describe the key stakeholders.
Consider all political, economic, and social factors that frame the context of the problem. Policy options. In this section, create and provide alternative solutions to the issue selected. Assess the pros and cons of each option.
This section should balance out all of the pros and cons to inform the policy client of possible rebuttals, supporters, and opposition to the interest group. Recommendation.
In this section, propose one solution (from the list you included in the preceding section) to the problem. Justify your recommendation by comparing it with the other alternatives.
How many Americans currently smoke? Why is smoking a problem?