POLICY BRIEF PROJECT: How to Create Health Policy

DUE: October 1 at 11:59 pm

ASSIGNMENT WORTH: 18 points

Common Structural Elements of a Policy Brief

For this assignment, you will write a policy brief describing how we should deal with a specific public health
issue. First, you will choose ONE of the following topics and read the associated Cochrane systematic review
article. Then you will you will write a 2,000 word policy brief detailing what should be done to alleviate the
health problem. NOTE: The systematic review article is your starting point. It is intended to introduce you to the
topic. You will need to look up other articles and data in order to understand this issue and make your policy
recommendations.

TOPICS:
1. Using pool fencing to reduce drownings among children
a. Article: Thompson DC & Rivara F. Pool fencing for preventing drowning of children. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 1998, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001047. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD001047.

2. Using red-light cameras to reduce car accident-related crashes, injuries and death due to red-light
volations
a. Article: Aeron-Thomas A & Hess S. Red-light cameras for the prevention of road traffic crashes.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003862. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD003862.pub2.

Your Policy Brief should include the following sections:

I. Title: A good title quickly communicates the contents/topic of the brief in a memorable way.
The title aims to catch the attention of the reader and compel him/her to read on and so it
needs to be descriptive, relevant and catchy.

II. Executive Summary: This section should include an overview of the problem and the
proposed policy action. The executive summary aims to convince the audience that the brief is
worth in-depth investigation. It is especially important for an audience that is short of time to
clearly see the relevance and importance of the brief.

a. As such, your executive summary should include:

i. A description of the problem addressed using statistics and data (that you find
from different sources) to support your argument.
ii. A statement on why the current approach/policy option needs to be changed
(you must use statistics and data to support your argument).
iii. A brief overview of your recommendations for action (i.e., what you believe should
be done to solve the problem).

Before you begin writing, identify the different audiences your brief will target. Your brief should
address more than one audience. You should mention the audiences in this section.

III. Context or Scope of Problem:  The purpose of this section is to convince the target
audiences that a current and urgent problem exists which requires them to take action.
a. As such, it should include the following:
i. A clear statement of the problem or issue (use statistics and data to support your
argument).
 ii. A short overview of the root causes of the problem (i.e., Why is this issue a
problem? How did it become a problem?)
iii. A clear statement of the policy implications of the problem. You need to clearly
establish the importance and policy relevance of the issue. Why do we need new
policies in order to address this issue?

IV. Policy Alternatives: This section discusses the current policy approach and
explains proposed options. It should be fair and accurate while convincing the reader why the
policy action proposed in the brief is the most desirable. The aim of this element is to detail
shortcomings of the current approach or options being implemented and therefore, illustrate
both the need for change and focus of where change needs to occur.
a. This section should include the following:
i. A short overview of all of the policy option(s) available.
ii. An argument illustrating why and how the current policy approach is failing or
not working.

V. Policy Recommendations: This section contains the most detailed explanation of the

concrete steps to be taken to address the policy issue. The aim of the policy recommendations
element is to provide a detailed and convincing proposal of your suggested policy approach.
a. As such this section should include the following;
i. A detailed breakdown of the specific practical steps or measures that need to be
implemented.
ii. A closing paragraph re-emphasizing the importance of action.

VI. References: These should be reliable sources that you have used throughout your brief to
guide your policy discussion and recommendations. Include a short bibliography or references
slide at the end. You may also include a recommended readings section to lead your reader to
further reading.

OTHER TIPS AND INFORMATION:

1) YOU MUST INCLUDE A WORD COUNT AT THE END OF YOUR BRIEF (-2 points for no word
count).

2) Your paper must be at least 2,000 words long. I will deduct 2 points for every 150 words
below the minimum word count.

3) Do not plagiarize.  You may not use quotes from any source, whether accurately cited or
not.  Everything should be in your own words to reflect your own understanding of the
material. All information that you present that is not the product of your own original thought
must be cited in the references.

4) DO NOT COPY AND PASTE ANYTHING!! (NO copied words, phrases, charts, tables, graphics,
or anything else).

5) YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT ON BLACKBOARD.