Analyze a population health topic on the presidential agenda including key social determinants and how two recent US presidents addressed it differently in a 500 word discussion post

Week 1 Discussion

Rather than focus on the treatment of chronic disease, policies that influence population health tend to emphasize prevention and wellness; the reduction or elimination of waste and the eradication of health disparities based on race, ethnicity, language, income, gender, sexual orientation, disability and other factors. Population health approaches recognize that factors outside clinical care play a huge role in shaping outcomes for entire communities. The reasoning is that good health belongs to the whole, not just an individual. (New York State Dept. of Health, n.d.)

Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen has a stake in healthcare policy decisions. People from all walks of life feel the impact when major health issues climb to the national stage. Hence, it is little wonder why healthcare items become such high-profile components of presidential agendas. These topics often touch on deeply held values and real-life struggles. It is also little wonder why they become such hotly debated agenda items.

Consider a topic (mental health, HIV, opioid epidemic, pandemics, obesity, prescription drug prices, or many others) that rises to the presidential level. Picking one allows you to explore real policy choices in action. How did the current and previous presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?

Reference:
New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Making New York the healthiest state: Achieving the triple aim. Retrieved June 21, 2021 from https://www.health.ny.gov/events/population_health_summit/docs/what_is_population_health.pdf

Consider a topic (mental health, HIV, opioid epidemic, pandemics, obesity, prescription drug prices, or many others) that rises to the presidential level.

How did the current and previous presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?

Main Post

Consider a population health topic that rises to the presidential agenda level. Which social determinant most affects this health issue? Social determinants like poverty, education access, or discrimination often drive these problems far more than individual choices. How did two recent presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?

500 words
Please provide at least 3 sources in APA 7th edition format.

Social determinants of health remain central to any effective population health strategy because they address root causes rather than symptoms alone. Recent presidential policies on issues like the opioid epidemic or COVID-19 response highlight how leadership priorities shape funding, regulations, and equity efforts. Exploring these differences helps build stronger arguments for future improvements in public health policy.

A 500-word discussion post examining a major population health issue on the presidential level, identifying the primary social determinant, comparing approaches by two recent presidents, and proposing personal policy improvements with APA sources.

Social determinants most impacting opioid epidemic or mental health and how Biden and Trump handled it differently 500 word post

 References

1. Fentiman, L. C. (2020). The opioid crisis and the 2020 US election: Crossroads for a national epidemic. The Lancet, 396(10257), 944–945. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32113-9
2. Davis, C. S., & Samuels, E. A. (2020). Opioid policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic — and beyond. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 14(4), e139–e141. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000000676
3. Gomez, L. E., & Bernet, P. (2019). Diversity improves performance and outcomes in health care. Journal of the National Medical Association, 111(4), 383–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2019.01.006 (Note: Extended relevance to population health equity post-2019)
4. Roman, C. G., & Moore, G. E. (2021). Social determinants of health and the opioid epidemic: Evidence from county-level panel data. American Journal of Public Health, 111(S2), S139–S147. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306355
5. Wainwright, J. J., Mikre, M., Whitley, P., Dawson, E., Andrew, T., & Pierre, J. (2023). Synthesising evidence of the effects of COVID-19 regulatory changes on methadone treatment for opioid use disorder: Implications for policy. The Lancet Public Health, 8(3), e163–e175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00023-3