MHA620 WEEK 2 ASSIGNMENT 1

Process of Identification & Definition

Review the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health in Chapter
7 of your textbook. Then, write a research paper fulfilling the following
requirements.

 Why is the definition of health important to health policy?

 Define the term “target population” as it relates to health policy.
 How do societal influences impact the identification and definition
process of policy?
 Research a healthcare organization and highlight how their policies
align or misalign with the WHO’s definition of health.

The paper

 Must be four to six double-spaced pages in length (not including

title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Writing Center.
 Must include a separate title page with the following:
o Title of paper
o Student’s name
o Course name and number
o Instructor’s name
o Date submitted
 Must use at least four scholarly sources in addition to the course
text.
 Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Writing
Center.
 Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according
to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.
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MHA620 Week 2 Assignment

Student’s Name

Institution Affiliations

Instructor

Date

The Process of Identification & Definition of Health Policy

Introduction
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Health policy is often made in response to problems that arise from within the

healthcare system. In order to create an effective health policy, it is crucial first to identify the

problem and then define it in a way that can be addressed by policy (Jetten et al., 2014). The

process of identification and definition of health policy typically follows these steps: 1.

Problem identification 2. Definition of the problem 3. Identification of possible solutions 4.

Analysis of the costs and benefits of each solution 5. Selection of the most feasible and

practical solution 6. Implementation of the selected solution 7. Evaluation of the results. The

first step in the process of health policy development is to identify the problem. This can be

done through various methods, such as analyzing data on health outcomes, conducting

surveys or focus groups with healthcare providers or patients, or observing trends in the

healthcare system (Nuti, Vainieri, & Bonini, 2010). Once the problem has been identified, it is

essential to define it in a way that can be addressed by policy. This usually involves breaking

down the problem into smaller, more manageable pieces. For example, if the problem is poor

access to healthcare, policy solutions might focus on improving transportation to healthcare

facilities or providing financial assistance for medical care.

After the problem has been defined, the next step is identifying possible solutions.

This can be done by researching best practices in other countries or jurisdictions, consulting

with experts in the field, or reviewing existing literature on the topic. Once possible solutions

have been identified, they must be evaluated regarding their costs and benefits. This usually

requires data analysis on each solution's costs and outcomes. Based on this analysis, the most

feasible and effective solution should then be selected. Once a solution has been selected, it

must be implemented to maximize its effectiveness. This often requires working with
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stakeholders such as healthcare providers, insurers, and patients to ensure that the solution is

implemented to meet their needs (Nuti, Vainieri, & Bonini, 2010). Finally, the results of the

policy should be evaluated to determine whether it was effective in solving the problem and

what improvements could be made. The process of identification and definition of health

policy is essential to the development of effective policy solutions. Policymakers can ensure

that the solutions they develop are targeted, feasible, and effective by carefully identifying

and defining the problem.

The importance of the definition of health to health policy

There are a number of reasons why the definition of health is essential to health

policy. First, the definition of health determines what is included in the scope of health policy.

If the definition of health is too narrow, then essential aspects of health may be excluded from

consideration in policymaking (Hart, Larson, & Lishner, 2005). Second, the definition of

health influences how policymakers view the role of government in promoting and protecting

health. A broad definition of health that includes social and economic determinants is more

likely to lead to policies that address these determinants. In contrast, a narrower definition

focusing solely on biological factors is more likely to lead to policies focusing on individual

behavior change. Third, the definition of health affects how much resources are allocated to

different sectors within the health care system. A broad definition of health that includes

prevention and promotion will likely result in more excellent resources being devoted to these

areas, while a narrower definition that focuses solely on treatment will likely result in greater

resources being devoted to medical care (Hart, Larson, & Lishner, 2005). Finally, the
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definition of health can affect public perceptions about what constitutes a "healthy" society

and can therefore influence political support for various policies. Therefore, the definition of

health is vital to health policy because it determines what is included in the scope of health

policy. If the definition of health is too narrow, then essential aspects of health may be

excluded from consideration in policymaking.

Definition of the term “target population” as it relates to health policy

The term "target population" describes the group of people who are the focus of a

particular health policy. This group may be defined in several ways, including by age,

race/ethnicity, gender, geography, and socio-economic status (Cometto et al., 2018). The

target population for a given health policy may also change over time. For example, a policy

that is targeted at young adults may be modified to include middle-aged adults as the target

population ages. A health policy may have multiple target populations, each of which may be

affected differently by the policy. For example, a policy aimed at improving access to

healthcare for low-income individuals may also have an impact on the health of those who are

not low-income but live in areas with limited access to healthcare. When developing and

evaluating health policies, it is important to consider all potential target populations.

Societal influences and the impact on the identification and definition process of

policy

Societal influences play a significant role in the identification and definition process of

policy. Social norms, values, and beliefs shape what policy issues are identified and how they
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are defined (Bavel et al., 2020). For example, policies related to reproductive health may be

shaped by cultural beliefs about women's roles and sexuality. Societal factors also affect who

has the power to define and influence policy. Groups with more social power (such as the

wealthy or those with political clout) are more likely to have their voices heard in the

policymaking process.

Societal influences can also impact the implementation of health policy. For example,

if a policy addresses a health problem seen as taboo or stigmatized, it may be challenging to

get people to comply with it. In addition, socio-economic status can influence whether people

have access to the resources needed to comply with a policy (such as money for transportation

or child care). Also public opinion can also impact the identification and definition of policy.

For example, if there is much public support for a certain policy issue, it is more likely to be

addressed by policymakers. Alternatively, if the public is largely opposed to a policy, it may

be less likely to be implemented.

How Mayo Clinic policies align or misalign with the WHO’s definition of health

The World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of health is a state of complete

physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

(Palmisano, 2022). The Mayo Clinic’s policies align with this definition in several ways. For

example, the Clinic offers a wide range of services aimed at promoting physical well-being,

such as preventive care, screenings and vaccinations, and treatment for chronic conditions

(Helmers & Harper, 2019). It also offers mental health services, including counseling and
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support groups. In addition, the Clinic has several programs and initiatives aimed at

improving social well-being, such as its Community Benefits Program.

However, there are some areas where the Clinic's policies do not align with the WHO

definition. For instance, the Clinic does not offer any dental services, which could be

considered an essential component of physical well-being. In addition, while the Clinic offers

some mental health services, it has a less robust program than possibly necessary to promote

social well-being. Moreover, the Clinic’s policies around end-of-life care could be seen as

misaligned with the WHO definition, as they focus primarily on prolonging life rather than

ensuring a dignified death.

Conclusion

Identifying and defining health policy is a vital step in the decision-making process. It

allows policymakers to identify health policy goals and assess the evidence supporting

various options. The identification and definition of health policy also help policymakers to

communicate their decisions to the public. The identification and definition of health policy

are essential to ensure that policies are developed that are evidence-based and responsive to

the population's needs. This process also helps to ensure that resources are allocated

efficiently and effectively to support the implementation of these policies. The WHO defines

health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the

absence of disease or infirmity." The Mayo Clinic's policies align with this definition in

several ways, but there are also some areas where the Clinic's policies do not align with the

WHO definition.
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As aforementioned, while the Clinic's policies align with the WHO definition in many

respects, there are some areas where they could be improved. The Clinic’s policies around

end-of-life care could be seen as misaligned with the WHO definition, as they focus primarily

on prolonging life rather than ensuring a dignified death. Overall, the Mayo Clinic’s policies

are in line with the WHO’s definition of health. However, there are some areas where the

Clinic could improve its policies to better align with the WHO definition.
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References

Bavel, J. J. V., Baicker, K., Boggio, P. S., Capraro, V., Cichocka, A., Cikara, M., ... & Willer,

R. (2020). Using social and behavioral science to support COVID-19 pandemic

response. Nature human behavior, 4(5), 460-471.

Cometto, G., Ford, N., Pfaffman-Zambruni, J., Akl, E. A., Lehmann, U., McPake, B., ... &

Taylor, D. (2018). Health policy and system support to optimize community health

worker programs: an abridged WHO guideline. The Lancet Global Health, 6(12),

e1397-e1404.

Hart, L. G., Larson, E. H., & Lishner, D. M. (2005). Rural definitions for health policy and

research. American journal of public health, 95(7), 1149–1155.

Helmers, R. A., & Harper, C. M. (2019, September). The mayo clinic model of clinical

integration. In Healthcare (Vol. 7, No. 3, p. 100330). Elsevier.

Jetten, J., Haslam, C., Haslam, S. A., Dingle, G., & Jones, J. M. (2014). How groups affect

our health and well‐being: The path from theory to policy. Social issues and policy

review, 8(1), 103-130.

Nuti, S., Vainieri, M., & Bonini, A. (2010). Disinvestment for re-allocation: a process to

identify priorities in healthcare. Health Policy, 95(2-3), 137-143.

Palmisano, D. (2022). Homelessness in Late Life: An exploration of the lived experience.

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