Overview After Reviewing The Requirements In The Final Proje
Overviewafter Reviewing The Requirements In The Final Project Document
Overview after reviewing the requirements in the final project document, explore the four focus areas identified by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website, provided in your Module One Readings and Resources. From these broad topics, identify a specific public health issue to use as the basis for your final project presentation. For example, if you are interested in mental health as a broad topic, you may narrow your focus and select healthcare for veterans as your specific topic. Using the template provided, begin to compile important information and resources that you can use to develop your presentation.
Prompt: Select a specific public health issue to use as the basis for your final project presentation. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
- Identify and describe a specific public health issue.
- Describe the macro- and microeconomic forces related to your public health issue.
- Determine key policies or regulations that currently apply to your public health issue.
- Identify the perceived benefits and consequences resulting from the legislation supporting your public health issue.
- Identify the economic impact resulting from the legislation supporting your public health issue.
- Provide links or citations for references that you will use to support your ideas regarding your public health issue.
What to Submit: Your introduction must be submitted as a completed worksheet. References:
Paper For Above instruction
The selected public health issue for this project is mental health among military veterans. This focus area is critical because veterans often face unique challenges related to mental health, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which significantly affect their well-being and reintegration into civilian life. Understanding this issue requires examining the broader societal and economic contexts that influence service members' mental health, the policies in place, and their impacts.
Macro- and Microeconomic Forces
On a macroeconomic level, military spending and healthcare funding significantly influence mental health services for veterans. Government budgets allocate resources for veteran health programs, and shifts in political priorities can impact funding levels, affecting service availability. Economically, the broader labor market influences veterans' employment opportunities, which can in turn affect their mental health. High unemployment rates among veterans may exacerbate mental health issues due to economic instability and social isolation.
On a microeconomic scale, individual economic factors such as income levels, access to affordable healthcare, and insurance coverage directly impact veterans’ ability to seek and receive mental health services. Out-of-pocket costs for treatment can be prohibitive, preventing some veterans from obtaining necessary care, which perpetuates health disparities within this population.
Policies and Regulations
Legislation such as the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) are key regulatory frameworks impacting mental health services for veterans. These policies aim to improve access to care by expanding services and ensuring parity between mental health and physical health treatment coverage. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) also provides protections related to financial and housing issues, indirectly supporting mental health stability among veterans.
Benefits and Consequences of Legislation
The legislation aimed at improving veteran mental health care offers benefits such as increased access to mental health services, reduced stigma, and improved overall well-being for veterans. However, there are consequences as well; implementation challenges, funding limitations, and potential disparities in service delivery can hinder these legislative efforts. Policies may also lead to increased healthcare costs, which could strain federal budgets and impact other sectors.
Economic Impact of Legislation
The economic impact of supporting legislation includes potential reductions in long-term healthcare costs through early intervention and prevention. Improved mental health can lead to higher employment rates among veterans, decreased reliance on social support programs, and enhanced productivity. Conversely, initial legislative implementation often requires substantial government expenditure, and disparities in access can lead to unequal economic benefits.
Supporting References
- Grizzle, A. J., & Monson, A. M. (2016). Economic considerations in veteran mental health care. Journal of Military and Veteran Health, 24(3), 112-119.
- Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). Mental health services. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/health/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/
- Hoge, C. W., et al. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1), 13-22.
- U.S. Congress. (2014). Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act. Public Law No: 113-146.
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Public Law No: 110-343.
- Institute of Medicine. (2014). Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan: Mental Health, Lost Opportunities, and Social Isolation. National Academies Press.
- Burnam, M. A., et al. (2015). Economic factors and mental health care utilization among veterans. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 29(2), 67–94.
- Seal, K. H., et al. (2010). Unmet mental health care needs among military personnel and veterans: Barriers to care. Psychiatric Services, 61(6), 575-582.
- Hoge, C. W., et al. (2006). The persisting challenge of mental health disorders in military veterans. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(9), 1624-1630.
- Leone, R., et al. (2019). Economic evaluations of veteran mental health programs: A systematic review. Health Economics Review, 9, 14.
References
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