1. Public Health Issue Topic: Identify the public health issue you will use as a basis for your final project presentation. Briefly describe why you choose this topic.
The health issue topic is childhood obesity, which is a core public health concern among adults and children. The reason for choosing this topic is because child obesity has become a global health concern in terms of the well-being and health for the children.
2. Economic Forces: Briefly describe some economic forces related to your public health issue.
Macroeconomic Forces:
One of the main macro-economic forces that affect child obesity is food prices. According to Small (271), the real food prices have reduced in the last few decades and this accounts for the significant increase in the body mass index for young individuals. The other macro-economic forces include the agricultural policies which also reduce the food prices. High-income levels also contribute to obesity as they allow people to take in more calories as well as spend most of their time being inactive.
Microeconomic Forces:
Examples of microeconomic forces that trigger child obesity include maternal employment. Based on the social class, an increase in the mother’s working hours vastly triggers child obesity, especially for the high-class families (Small 274). The other microeconomic force is advanced technology which makes it easy for people to eat more within a short period of time.
3. Key Regulation Policy: Determine economic policies or regulations that currently apply to your public health issue.
There are three economic policies or regulations that apply to child obesity. One of these policies include the implementation of the after school physical actions programs. Small (277) postulate that the other regulation policy that applies to child obesity is the banning of any advertisements that direct children to take fast foods, for instance, on televisions. Lastly, a $0.01 sugar-sweetened beverage excise tax should be established.
4. Benefits and Consequences: Identify the perceived benefits and consequences resulting from the legislation supporting your public health issue.
Policies and regulations normally drive the social and environmental changes that eventually play a significant role in reducing child obesity. Legislation in key areas such as food safety, trades and agriculture may implement regulations that may support obesity prevention (Small 280). Legislation in other areas, for instance, school foods programs, taxes, and climate change may also help curb child obesity.
5. Impact of Regulation or Policy: Describe the economic impact resulting from the legislation supporting your public health issue.
One of the economic impacts as a result of legislation supporting child obesity is reduced medical costs. Small (282) assert that when legislation supports the regulation policies of child obesity, it enhances obesity prevention techniques which helps cure the long term effects of child obesity such as illnesses. Eradicating these illnesses reduces the federal medical expenditures and this boosts economic growth.
Work Cited
Small, Leigh, and Alexis Aplasca. “Child obesity and mental health: a complex interaction.” Child
and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics 25.2 (2016): 269-282.