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ASSESSMENT BRIEF
Subject Code and Title PUBH6003: Health systems and Economics
Assessment Assessment 1: Report
Applying Systems Thinking in Public health
Individual/Group Individual
Length 1,500 words (+/- 10%)
Learning Outcomes This assessment addresses the following learning
outcomes:
• Apply systems thinking and an intersectoral
approach to public health issues.
Submission 12-Week Module
Due week 5 on Sunday at 11:55pm AEST/AEDT*
6-week Module
Due week 3 on Sunday at 11:55pm AEST/AEDT*
Weighting 40%
Total Marks 100 marks
*Please Note: This time is Sydney time (AEST or AEDT). Please
convert to your own time zone (e.g. Adelaide = 11:25pm).
Context:
Many public health issues are complex, and influenced by multiple inte
elated
factors including biological, social, environmental, economic, cultural, political, health
service, and policy. Public health professionals need to understand a complex issue from
systems thinking perspective (a complex problem with many interconnected factors,
elements), and they must work across various sectors (e.g. food, education, transport,
agriculture, housing, u
an planning, media), and with key stakeholders such as
other professionals and community groups in order to improve population health
outcomes.
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Instructions:
To prepare for this assessment, choose one public health issue (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cancer,
heart disease, mental health, substance misuse, air pollution, water and sanitation, road
accidents, suicide, etc.) in any country and examine how systems thinking can help to identify the
oader system issues, and recommend solutions for better management. This is a research-
ased assignment which requires to conduct literature review on the selected topic on the
specific country context.
Then in approximately 1500 words (+/- 10%), please answer the following questions
considering your selected public health issue and country context.
• Describe the public health issue from systems thinking perspective (consider all direct and
indirect factors and explain the complexity of the issues or interconnectedness of the issues)
• Explain the roles of stakeholders, both within the health system and in other sectors in
addressing this issue (consider intersectoral action perspective)
• Drawing on research evidence, explain the obstacles (e.g. lack of cooperation among
stakeholders or lack of shared vision and leadership, feedback delay, lack of healthy policy,
fragile and fragmented health system, funding limitation, time constraints) that are preventing
the application of systems thinking and intersectoral approach to the issue.
• Based on the identified obstacles and literature, offer suggestions (e.g. developing shared
vision, cooperation and leadership, policy change or reform, creating supportive environment,
strengthening, and reorienting health system, increased budget allocation, empowering
community and individuals) for how systems thinking and an intersectoral approach could be
applied to the issue.
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Report Structure
Your report should follow the following structure. The word count includes the
introduction, body and conclusion.
(Title of your assignment)
Assessment 1: PUBH6003: Student name, Student ID
Executive summary
Provide a short summary which gives the reader an overview of the report.
Introduction
Provide a short introduction which gives the reader an overview of the whole assignment.
Briefly introduce the public health issue in your chosen population (country). Explain that your
eport will propose recommendations to address public health and healthcare system for this
population (country).
(No more than a half page)
Public Health Issue in (chosen population/country)
Influence factors
Describe the public health issue from systems thinking perspective (consider all direct and
indirect factors and explain the complexity/interconnectedness of the issues.
Health system
Explain the roles of stakeholders, both within the health system and in other sectors in
addressing this issue (consider intersectoral action perspective)
Challenges
Drawing on research evidence, explain the obstacles (e.g. lack of shared vision and
leadership/cooperation, feedback delay, lack of healthy policy, fragile and fragmented health
system, funding limitation, time constraints) that are preventing the application of systems
thinking and intersectoral approach to the issue.
Recommendations
Based on the identified obstacles and literature, offer suggestions (e.g. developing shared vision
and leadership, policy change or reform, creating supportive environment, strengthening, and
eorienting health system, increased budget allocation, empowering community and individuals)
for how systems thinking and an intersectoral approach could be applied to the issue.
Conclusion
In a short paragraph, provide a useful overall summary of your assignment for the reader. Do
not introduce any new information/ideas.
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Submission Instructions:
Submit via the Assessment 1 – Report link in Assessment on main navigation menu in Blackboard
Assessment Criteria
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of systems thinking and an
intersectoral approach (20%)
• Shows the ability to interpret and analyse relevant information and
literature on systems thinking and an intersectoral approach (30%)
• Demonstrates the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of
systems thinking and an intersectoral approach to a public health
problem (30%)
• Use of academic conventions including appropriate resources and referencing (20%)
o Uses key readings and shows evidence of reading beyond the key reading
o There is a lucid introduction and clear conclusion or summary
o Complies with normal academic of referencing and
ibliographical details (including reference list, use 6th
version APA style)
o Is written clearly with accurate spelling, grammar and sentence
and paragraph construction
PUBH6003_Assessment Brief 1 Page 3 of 5
Marking Ru
ic:
Assessment
Attributes
0-34 (Failm2
– F2)
Unacceptable
35-49
(Fail 1 – F1)
Poor
50-64
(Pass -P)
Functional
65-74
(Credit - CR)
Proficient
75-84
(Distinction – DN)
Advanced
85-100
(High Distinction –
HD)
Exceptional
Grade Description Evidence of unsatisfactory
achievement of one or more
of the learning objectives of
the subject, insufficient
understanding of the subject
content and/or
unsatisfactory level of skill
development.
Evidence of
satisfactory
achievement of
subject learning
objectives, the
development of
elevant skills to a
competent level, and
adequate
interpretation and
critical analysis skills.
Evidence of a good
level of understanding,
knowledge and skill
development in
elation to the content
of the subject or work
of a superior quality on
the majority of the
learning objectives of
the subject.
Demonstration of a
high level of
interpretation and
critical analysis skills.
Evidence of a high
level of achievement
of the learning
objectives of the
subject
demonstrated in
such areas as
interpretation and
critical analysis,
logical argument, use
of methodology and
communication skills.
Evidence of an
exceptional level of
achievement of
learning objectives
across the entire
content of the course
demonstrated in such
areas as interpretation
and critical analysis,
logical argument,
creativity, originality,
use of methodology
and communication
skills.
Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrated knowledge and
understanding of systems thinking
and an intersectoral approach.
(20%)
Limited understanding
of required concepts
and knowledge.
Key components of the
assignment are not
addressed.
Knowledge/
understanding of
the field or
discipline.
Resembles a recall or
summary of key
ideas.
Often
conflates/confuses
assertion of personal
opinion with
information
substantiated by
Thorough knowledge/
understanding of the
field or discipline/s.
Supports personal
opinion and
information
substantiated by
evidence from the
esearch/course
materials.
Demonstrates a
capacity to explain and
apply relevant
Highly developed
understanding of the
field or discipline/s.
Discriminates
etween assertion of
personal opinion and
information
substantiated by
obust evidence from
the research/course
materials and
extended reading.
A sophisticated
understanding of the
field or discipline/s.
Systematically and
critically discriminates
etween assertion of
personal opinion and
information
substantiated by robust
evidence from the
esearch/course
materials and extended
eading.
PUBH6003_Assessment Brief 1 Page 4 of 5
evidence from the
esearch/course
materials.
concepts. Well demonstrated
capacity to explain
and apply relevant
concepts.
Mastery of concepts
and application to new
situations/further
learning.
Critical reasoning, presentation
and defence of an argument
and/or position
Shows the ability to interpret and
analyse relevant information and
literature on systems thinking and
an intersectoral approach. (30%)
Specific position (perspective
or argument) fails to take into
account the complexities of
the issue(s) or scope of the
assignment.
Makes assertions that are not
justified.
Specific position
(perspective or
argument) begins to
take into account the
issue(s) or scope of
the assignment.
Justifies any
conclusions reached
with arguments not
merely assertion.
Specific position
(perspective or
argument) takes into
account the
complexities of the
issue(s) or scope of the
assignment. Others’
points of view are
acknowledged.
Justifies any
conclusions reached
with well-formed
arguments not merely
assertion.
Specific position
(perspective or
argument) is expertly
presented and
accurately takes into
account the
complexities of the
issue(s) and scope of
the assignment.
Justifies any
conclusions reached
with well-developed
arguments.
Specific position
(perspective or
argument) is presented
expertly,
authoritatively and
imaginatively,
accurately taking into
account the
complexities of the
issue(s) and scope of
the assignment. Limits
of position are
acknowledged.
Justifies any
conclusions reached
with sophisticated
arguments.
Analysis and application with
synthesis of new knowledge
Demonstrates the ability to apply
knowledge and understanding of
systems thinking and an
intersectoral approach to a public
health problem. (30%)
Limited synthesis and analysis.
Limited
application
ecommendations
ased upon analysis.
Demonstrated
analysis and synthesis
of new knowledge
with application.
Shows the ability to
interpret relevant
information and
literature.
Well-developed
analysis and synthesis
with application of
ecommendations
linked to
analysis/synthesis.
Thoroughly
developed and
creative analysis and
synthesis with
application of
pretested models
and / or