Assessment
ASSESSMENT 1 BRIEF
Subject Code and Title
PUBH6001: Health Policy and Advocacy
Individual
Social Media Portfolio:
• Part A: Twitter and Blog Post—The Role of Public Health Policy
• Part B: Twitter and Blog Post—The Role of Public Health Advocacy
Individual/Group
Part A: 500 words (+/–10%) Part B: 600 words (+/–10%)
The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by the successful completion of the task below include:
a) Critically analyse different theories and approaches to policy agenda setting to understand health policy formulation and advocacy for a specific population health issue;
b) Critically analyse issues in contemporary Australian health care policy, including the evaluation of global influences on Australian health policy;
c) Critically analyse and reflect on political and ethical issues in the formulation of an evidence-based policy and its translation into real-world policy application;
d) Evaluate the role of government and other stakeholders in the processes for ensuring accountability for health policy and advocating for change;
e) Critically analyse the advocacy approaches and tools required to create an advocacy strategy to address a public health policy issue.
Length
Learning Outcomes
Submission
Due by 11.55 pm AEST/AEDT on the Sunday at the end of Module 4 (Part A) and the end of Module 12 (Part B).
100 marks each
Weighting
Part A: 15% Part B: 20%
Total Marks
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Assessment Task
In this assessment, you will select and research an appropriate Australian public health issue and write two evidence-based blog posts (Part A: 500 words +/–10%; Part B: 600 words +/–10%) as well as a 230-character Twitter summary for both.
In Part A, you will outline the public health issue selected and then discuss the related health policy environment, and in Part B, using the same public health issue, you will present a range of evidence- based policy solutions and argue for the most appropriate policy response.
Please refer to the Task Instructions (below) for details on how to complete this task.
Context
Social media is becoming an increasingly important tool for communicating health promotion information, policy positions and advocacy for many public health professionals and organisations. In this context, social media is a way of connecting with a broader and more diverse professional and public audience. In your role as a public health professional, you will be expected to keep up to date with the latest evidence on a range of policy issues, and in many instances, you will need to summarise and provide professional commentary on these issues. As such, the ability to write clear and succinct content that is suitable for a diverse range of audiences is an essential skill.
Task Instructions
Part A: The Role of Public Health Policy
To complete this assessment task, you will need to:
Research an Australian public health issue that is of interest to you. What is the issue, and what part of the population does it most affect?
Explore the current health policy environment that surrounds this issue. Consider the following:
• Has this issue reached the government’s agenda? Is the government doing anything to solve this issue?
• Has the government introduced any health policies to address this issue? • Are any such policies adequate? Are they equitable?
• What are the policy gaps driving or contributing to this issue?
Write a clear and succinct blog post (500 words) that discusses the above factors.
You also need to write a 230-character Twitter post that links to this blog. You may use relevant public health hashtags that will draw people to your post. Remember that you are writing this content as a public health professional (this is not a personal opinion piece); thus, you must write in a manner that is appropriate to this brief and suitable for all audiences.
Ensure that
• • • • •
you:
Show an understanding of policy definitions;
Highlight the most important statistics;
Link this issue to policy change—What would you suggest needs to be done; Identify your target audience—How will you attract their attention; and Write in a way that best represents you as a public health professional.
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Part B: Role of Public Health Advocacy
Now that you have gained an understanding of how to use social media to raise awareness about your selected public health issue, it is time to use the same social media platforms (your blog and Twitter account) to present your preferred policy solution (based on evidence). This type of advocacy requires you to create a heading that will attract attention and develop an argument as to why you think this is the best way to improve the situation for those experiencing the public health issue you have selected.
To complete this assessment task, you will need to:
• Build on Part A to advocate for your preferred evidence-based policy solution;
• Write a short blog post on the topic (600 words); and
• Write a Twitter post to link to the blog post.
Ensure that you:
• Demonstrate an understanding of public health advocacy definitions;
• Highlight two or three evidence-based policy options;
• Create a catchy headline;
• Argue for your preferred policy solution;
• Identify your target audience—How will you attract their attention; and
• Write in a way that best represents you as a public health professional.
Remember that you are writing this content as a public health professional (this is not a personal opinion piece); thus, you must write in a manner that is appropriate to this brief.
For more information on academic skills, visit the following website
https://library.torrens.edu.au/academicskills_ap/blogs
Referencing
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style to cite and reference your research. For more information on referencing, visit the Academic Skills webpage.
Submission Instructions
Submit your Assessment via the Assessment 1 link in the main navigation menu in the PUBH6001: Health Policy and Advocacy Blackboard portal.
Your learning facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need to have read and be aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure and subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.
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Students also must keep a copy of all submitted material and any assessment drafts.
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Assessment Rubric Part A: The Role of Public Health Policy
Assessment Attributes
Fail
(Yet to achieve minimum standard)
0–49%
Pass (Functional) 50–64%
Credit (Proficient) 65–74%
Distinction (Advanced) 75–84%
High Distinction (Exceptional) 85–100%
Knowledge and understanding of policy.
Outlines a selected public health topic and the policy context in an appropriate manner.
Percentage for this criterion = 35%
Demonstrates a limited understanding of the topic. Key areas have not been addressed.
The Blog and Twitter post show a very limited or no understanding of the definition of health policy and policy context and do not relate to or define public health (including statistics) issues or are not linked to policy change.
Demonstrates knowledge of the assigned topic and is able to summarise information, which highlights a basic understanding of the content.
The Blog and Twitter post demonstrate a basic understanding of the definition of health policy, refer to the policy context, define the public health issue (including statistics) and are linked to policy change.
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic and a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts. All key areas have been addressed
The Blog and Twitter post demonstrate a highly developed understanding of the definition of health policy, refer to policy context, define the public health issue (including statistics) and are linked to policy change.
Demonstrates a highly developed understanding of the topic and a capacity to clearly explain all relevant concepts and has addressed all key areas of the assessment in detail.
The Blog and Twitter post demonstrate a highly developed understanding of the definition of health policy, refer to policy context, define the public health issue (including statistics) and are linked to policy change.
Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, a capacity to provide insights and an understanding of the concepts explored and has addressed all of the key concepts in detail.
The Blog and Twitter post demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the definition of health policy, refer to policy context, define the public health issue (including statistics) and are linked to policy change.
Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge.
A clear argument is not established. Arguments are not supported by appropriate evidence.
No evaluation of the current policy
A clear argument is established, but lacks the required detail to demonstrate understanding. Arguments are supported by limited evidence.
Well-developed arguments are established, all of which are supported by appropriate evidence.
Demonstrates a good evaluation of the current
Clear, succinct and well- developed arguments are established, all of which are supported by quality evidence.
Demonstrates an excellent evaluation of the current
Sophisticated and professional arguments are presented, all of which are supported by high-quality evidence.
Demonstrates an exceptional evaluation of
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Percentage for this criterion = 35%
environment associated with public health issues or gaps in the policy environment.
Demonstrates a basic evaluation of the current policy environment associated with public health issue and the gaps in the policy environment.
policy environment associated with the public health issue and the gaps in the policy environment
policy environment associated with the public health issue and the gaps in the policy environment.
the current policy environment associated with the public health issue and the gaps in the policy environment.
Appropriate writing style for social media platforms.
Percentage for this criterion = 20%
Poor writing style for the social media post; lacks the formality required.
Twitter post is not present, or does not align with the requirements.
The blog post is not written in a professional manner or does not use language appropriate to the target audience.
Basic writing style for the social media post; lacks formality. Potentially only completes either the blog post or Twitter post.
The blog is written with a basic attempt at using a professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written with a basic attempt at using a professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Formal writing style for the social media post. The blog is written with a good attempt at using a professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written with a good attempt at using a professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Professional writing style for the social media post the blog is written in a very professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written in a very professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Sophisticated and professional writing style for the social media post. The blog is written in a highly professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written in a highly professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
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Referencing and general academic writing standards.
Percentage for this criterion = 10%
Poorly written with errors in spelling and grammar.
Does not refer to sources of evidence.
There are consistent mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to basic academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to good academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to excellent academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to sophisticated academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
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Assessment Rubric Part B: The Role of Public Health Advocacy
XXXXXXXXXXAssessment Attributes
Fail
(Yet to achieve minimum standard) 0–49%
Pass (Functional) 50–64%
Credit (Proficient) 65–74%
Distinction (Advanced) 75–84%
High Distinction (Exceptional) 85–100%
Knowledge and understanding of advocacy.
Outlines selected public health topic and the advocacy context in an appropriate manner.
Percentage for this criterion = 35%
Limited understanding of the topic. Key areas have not been addressed.
The blog and Twitter post demonstrate an insufficient understanding of the definition of advocacy, do not effectively argue for the importance of the chosen public health issue or do not use relevant statistics or refer to policy deficits.
Demonstrates knowledge of the assigned topic and is able to summarise information, which highlights a basic understanding of the content.
The blog and Twitter post demonstrate a limited understanding of the definition of advocacy. Attempts to argue for the importance of the chosen public health issue with some use of statistics and policy deficits.
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic and a capacity to explain and apply relevant concepts. All key areas have been addressed.
The blog and Twitter post demonstrate a developed understanding of the definition of advocacy. Argues for the importance of the chosen public health issue with the use of relevant statistics and policy deficits.
Demonstrates a highly developed
understanding of the topic and a capacity to clearly explain all relevant concepts. All key areas of the assessment have been addressed in detail.
The blog and Twitter post demonstrate a highly developed understanding of the definition of advocacy. Clearly argues for the importance of the chosen public health issue with the highly persuasive use of relevant statistics and with reference to the policy deficits.
Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, a capacity to provide insights and an understanding of the concepts explored. All of the key concepts have been addressed in detail.
The blog and Twitter post demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the definition of advocacy. Effectively argues for the importance of the chosen public health issue with the highly persuasive use of relevant statistics and with reference to the policy deficits.
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Analysis and application with synthesis of new knowledge.
Percentage for this criterion = 35%
A clear argument is not established.
Arguments are not supported by appropriate evidence.
Relevant policies and policy gaps are not identified. Potential policy solution is not identified.
A clear and well supported over all policy solution is not communicated. No advocacy skills are demonstrated.
A clear argument is established, but lacks required detail to demonstrate understanding.
Arguments are supported by limited evidence.
Acknowledgement of policy solutions that demonstrate a basic evaluation of the current policy environment associated with the selected public health issue, the gaps in policy and the effects and outcomes.
A clear and well supported over all policy solution is not convincingly communicated. Limited advocacy skills are demonstrated.
A well-developed argument is established.
Arguments are supported by appropriate evidence.
Identification of appropriate evidence-based policy solutions that demonstrate a good evaluation of the current policy environment associated with the selected public health issue, the gaps in policy and the effects and outcomes.
Identification of appropriate evidence-based policy solutions that demonstrate a good evaluation of the current policy environment associated with the selected public health issue, the gaps in policy and the effects and outcomes.
Clear, succinct and well developed arguments are established.
Arguments are supported by quality evidence.
Identification of appropriate evidence-based policy solutions that demonstrate an excellent evaluation of the current policy environment associated with the selected public health issue, the gaps in policy and the effects and outcomes.
A clear and well-supported overall policy solution is well communicated via the use of well-developed advocacy skills.
Sophisticated and professional arguments are presented.
Arguments are supported by high-quality evidence.
Identification of numerous appropriate evidence- based policy solutions (including examples) that demonstrate an exceptional evaluation of the current policy environment associated with the selected public health issue, the gaps in policy and the effects and outcomes.
A clear and well-supported overall policy solution is convincingly communicated via the use of exceptionally executed advocacy skills.
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XXXXXXXXXXAppropriate writing style for social media platforms.
Percentage for this criterion = 20%
Poor writing style for social media post; lacks the formality required. Twitter post is not present or does not align to the requirements.
Blog post is not written in a professional manner or does not use language appropriate to the target audience.
Basic writing style, for social media post; lacks formality.
Potentially only completes either blog post or Twitter post.
The blog is written with a basic attempt at using a professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written with a basic attempt at using a professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Formal writing style for social media post.
The blog is written with a good attempt at using a professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written with a good attempt at using a professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Professional writing style for social media post.
The blog is written in a very professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written in a very professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
Sophisticated and professional writing style for social media post.
The blog is written in a highly professional tone appropriate for the target audience.
The Twitter post is written in a highly professional tone and includes an appropriate word count, associated hashtags and links to the blog post.
XXXXXXXXXXReferencing and
general academic writing standards
Percentage for this criterion = 10%
Poorly written with errors
in spelling and grammar.
Does not refer to sources of evidence.
There are consistent mistakes in the application of the APA style
Adheres to basic academic
writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are minimal mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to good academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to excellent academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
Adheres to sophisticated academic writing standards and has accurate spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction.
There are no mistakes in the application of the APA style.
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The following Subject Learning Outcomes are addressed in this assessment
SLO a)
Critically analyse different theories and approaches to policy agenda setting to understand health policy formulation and advocacy for a specific population health issue.
SLO b)
Critically analyse issues in contemporary Australian health care policy, including the evaluation of global influences on Australian health policy.
SLO c)
Critically analyse and reflect on political and ethical issues in the formulation of an evidence-based policy and its translation into real-world policy application.
SLO d)
Evaluate the role of government and other stakeholders in the processes for ensuring accountability for health policy and advocating for change.
SLO e)
Critically analyse the advocacy approaches and tools required to create an advocacy strategy to address a public health policy issue.
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