Assessment 1: Rapid Response
The “Rapid Response” is a written online reply to an article (like a ‘Letter to the editor’) that provides an immediate response for the purpose of generating discussion and stimulating debate. The person writing the rapid response may be familiar with the topic and have a perspective that enhances the original article, adding interest and deepening understanding.
In this assessment task, you will write a rapid response to a journal article. There are 3 parts to this task.
(1) Identify an online scientific journal that allows rapid responses (e.g. The BMJ, JAMA and others);
(2) From the journal you have chosen, identify a piece of writing, the contents of which, although current, have historical parallels in public health. Examples may be articles that identify the central role of poverty in disease, the socioeconomic patterning of disease, the political influences on health care delivery, evidence of the positive effects of community engagement, the global burden of the disease were similar to historical levels, the disempowerment of a group (e.g. indigenous people, women) with subsequent adverse effects on health;
(3) Write a rapid response to the article in which you draw attention to the historical precedents of this situation. Your rapid response must have the following features:
1. Introduction: orientates the reader and summarises the current situation.
2. Body: describes historical parallels in the current situation or principles of public health being challenged with links to scientific literature.
3. Conclusion: articulates the lessons learned and future actions/implications.
4. Appropriate in-text citations and a reference list at least 5.
5. Follows any other guidelines of the journal you have chosen.