Contemporary Public Health Issue In The United States 743884

Contemporary Public Health Issuealthough The United States Is Among Th

Choose a contemporary public health issue (e.g., bioterrorism, gun violence, or natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires), its impact on public health, and strategies for mitigating and managing it once the issue occurs.

Following APA guidelines, create a PowerPoint presentation of 17-20 slides (plus title and reference slides) on the contemporary public health issue you have chosen and a human rights ethical dilemma. You will present this work to a team of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials tasked with developing global policies for addressing the impact of contemporary public health issues around the world. Your presentation should assess: The human rights concerns associated with the selected issues in public health policy, The conflicts of interest between public health policies and your selected emerging public health issue, and The gaps in the current health law that apply to the contemporary public health concern you selected with recommended suitable policy interventions to address the selected contemporary public health issue.

A relevant policy evaluation model you can employ to determine the best possible policy solution to the human rights concern. Your assignment must be supported with evidence from three to five peer-reviewed references, two of which must be from the CSU Online Library and no more than five years old. All content must follow APA guidelines, including all sources used, which must be cited and referenced according to APA standards found in the APA Style Guide. Ensure your presentation includes visuals such as images and graphics to supplement your message. These images or graphics must be cited according to APA standards as well. As a part of the presentation, you are encouraged to use the speaker notes section for the content slides to reinforce your presentation.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected contemporary public health issue for this comprehensive presentation is gun violence in the United States. Gun violence is a critical public health concern with far-reaching impacts on safety, mental health, community stability, and overall public well-being. It exemplifies a complex intersection of social determinants, legal frameworks, human rights, and ethical considerations, making it an ideal subject to explore policy interventions and ethical dilemmas.

Introduction to Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue

Gun violence in the U.S. encompasses a spectrum of incidents including mass shootings, suicides, accidental discharges, and urban firearm assaults. The CDC reports that firearm-related injuries result in over 40,000 deaths annually, emphasizing its significance as a leading cause of mortality (CDC, 2020). Beyond fatalities, gun violence causes physical injuries, psychological trauma, and economic costs, straining healthcare systems and communities. The pervasive nature of gun violence underscores its status as an urgent public health problem requiring multifaceted strategies and legal reforms.

Human Rights Concerns Related to Gun Violence and Policy

The ethical debate surrounding gun control pivots on balancing individual rights, especially the Second Amendment rights, with collective human rights to safety, life, and security. Restrictive policies on firearm access may infringe on personal freedoms, yet failure to regulate can compromise the right to life and safety for all citizens (Gostin & Wiley, 2020). Vulnerable populations, including children, minority groups, and survivors of violence, face disproportionate risks, raising issues of social equity and justice. From a human rights perspective, ensuring safety through sensible legislation aligns with international norms that prioritize the right to life and protection from harm.

Conflicts of Interest between Public Health Policies and Gun Violence

The primary conflict lies between individual liberties and public health interests. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other advocacy groups often oppose stricter gun laws, citing constitutional rights and personal freedom. Conversely, public health advocates argue that evidence supports restrictions on access to assault weapons and background checks to mitigate violence. Policymakers face resistance from powerful interest groups, complicating efforts to implement evidence-based regulations (Abrams, 2019). The tension between respecting rights and ensuring safety exemplifies a fundamental conflict of interest inherent in firearm legislation.

Gaps in Current Health Law Addressing Gun Violence

Although several laws exist, significant gaps hinder effective prevention. For instance, the Brady Act mandates background checks for firearm purchases from licensed dealers but excludes private sales and online transactions, creating loopholes (Wintemute et al., 2021). States have varying regulations, leading to inconsistent enforcement and coverage. Additionally, federal laws lack provisions addressing mental health screening, domestic violence restrictions, or data sharing among law enforcement agencies—factors correlated with gun violence risks (Kalesan et al., 2020). Closing legal gaps through comprehensive federal legislation could enhance the efficacy of prevention strategies.

Policy Evaluation Model and Recommendations

Applying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis provides a structured evaluation of potential policies. For firearm regulation, strengths include evidence-based measures like universal background checks and assault weapons bans; weaknesses involve political resistance; opportunities involve public advocacy and technological innovations such as smart guns; threats include lobbying efforts and constitutional challenges. Policy recommendations include expanding background checks universally, implementing red flag laws to temporarily remove weapons from individuals at risk, and investing in community-based violence prevention programs. These measures can address human rights concerns, reduce violence, and bridge law gaps effectively.

Conclusion

Gun violence exemplifies a pressing public health issue intertwined with complex legal, social, and ethical dimensions. It necessitates policy interventions grounded in human rights principles, scientific evidence, and public engagement. Employing comprehensive evaluation models ensures the adoption of policies that respect individual freedoms while safeguarding collective rights. Closing legal gaps and fostering collaboration among stakeholders can significantly diminish gun-related injuries and deaths, advancing both public health and human rights objectives.

References

• Abrams, E. M. (2019). Gun laws and firearm injury prevention. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(19), 1803-1804.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvss/index.html
• Gostin, L. O., & Wiley, L. F. (2020). Public health law: Power,Duty, Restraint (3rd ed.). University of California Press.
• Kalesan, B., Mobley, L. R., & Galea, S. (2020). Firearm legislation and firearm mortality in the USA: A systematic review. The Lancet, 395(10239), 629-637.
• Wintemute, G. J., Pollack, K. M., & Wright, M. (2021). Effectiveness of state firearm law reforms in reducing suicide and firearm mortality. Journal of Safety Research, 77, 126-134.