Environment: PHN Education and Health Policy Armenia Williams, DPA, RNC, FNP Associate Professor Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia

Environmental Issues and Public Health Air and Water Quality Food safety Toxic substances Military exposures Regulations related to environment health Traffic safety Environmental justice

Health Policy Course Focus on Environmental Issues This course focuses on the complex forces that influence public policy and program planning. Emphasis is placed on ecological, economic, and social issues and the role of the practitioner as an advocate for the civil and social rights of the public. These components provide insight into future trending, forecasting and program planning in the public sector.

Course Objectives 1.Describe the policy-making process. 2.Identify the roles of federal, state and local governments in policy-making. 3.Identify key characteristics of the health care industry, including current reimbursement systems for health care financing. 4.Compare alternative health care delivery systems. 5.Identify trends that will influence health care delivery in the future.

Course Objectives cont. 6.Examine the economic, social and political forces that influence health care delivery systems. 7.Analyze the motivation for regulation of the health care industry and its impact on care delivery. 8.Identify emerging roles for health care practitioners. 9.Assess the impact of health policy on delivery of health care services and health care outcomes.

Course Objectives cont. 10.Analyze the roles of various influences on health policy formation, i.e., voluntary and professional organizations, health care practitioners, private corporations, political parties, and other interest groups. 11.Examine legal parameters for health care practice and their influences on health care. 12.Examine ethical foundations for health care practice and their influences on health care.

Course Assignments Tracking state bills through the legislative process: From Bill to Law Selection of one bill to track during one legislative cycle Twelve hours of required tracking using a journal to document the process Requires one to one interaction with the bill sponsor or legislative staff, visits to the state capitol for observation of the process, and analysis of the bill and its impact on health

Assignments cont. Creative project to examine the impact of legislation and/or regulation on public health Examples

Assignments cont. Discussion board on Web Ct as a group activity to discuss topics related to health policy Examples: Water Quality Air Pollution Environmental Justice Health Disparity related to a specific ethnic group

Assignment Grading Criteria Journal (individual assignment): Faculty grading Creative Project (group assignment): Both faculty and peer evaluation by the entire class Discussion Board (group assignment): Both faculty and peer evaluation by the student group members of the group process and participation

Course Outcomes Application of the health policy process in a variety of interactive situations and assignments Use of literature and Internet resources to facilitate environmental applications Analysis of health policy issues Experience with varied strategies to influence agency, legislative and bureaucratic levels Advocacy skill practice

Desired Student Outcomes Future focus on environmental issues as an informed public health professional Awareness of the varied contextual influences on health policy, especially related to environmental policy decisions Advocacy for those who experience health and environmental disparity Application of varied skills to influence health policy related to environmental issues Client centered care that integrates environmental influences into the nursing process