In responses to your peers, discuss how the policy you chose is similar or different from the policies discussed by your peers. How are the policy models shaping the selected policies different? * Pol

In responses to your peers, discuss how the policy you chose is similar or different from the policies discussed by your peers. How are the policy models shaping the selected policies different?

* Policy chosen was HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act )

Post #1

Michelle Morrill :

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that is transmitted by mosquito bites. This disease is treatable and preventable, via vaccine, but not without expense. “In 2018, nearly half of the world's population was at risk of malaria. Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the WHO regions of South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and the Americas are also at risk (Malaria, 2020).” Malaria is a growing threat to all parts of the world. More specifically, international travel has brought malaria to the United States. “About 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year. The vast majority of cases in the United States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria transmission occurs, many from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (CDC, 2020).”

In recent events with the Covid- 19 crisis we have seen how quickly the population can be infected with a disease. The U.S. healthcare was unprepared for such an event. It is critical that the U.S. healthcare system is prepared for all potential epidemics. The population would be the largest stakeholder in this policy, followed by hospital employees, government agencies, insurance and medical supply companies. Constituents of the policy would be the other countries that have influenced and accepted this policy. The Presidents Malaria Initiative and Other U.S. Government Global Malaria Efforts is a global partnership to reduce and prevent the spread of malaria. The policy requires that all individuals that plan to travel in malaria ridden countries. The policy allocates funds from the United States to be spend on research and prevention methods worldwide. This policy regulates that scientific research be performed to better medical treatment and prevention strategies.

This policy was shaped by evaluating the data from malaria ridden countries, and the outcomes of mortality and treatment for those infected. Malaria is a vector transmitted disease which international travel and trade has spread the vectors that can be transported by packages and suitcases. Based on recent evidence discussed above malaria is a growing threat to the U.S. this policy is a reflection of such. The policy includes allocating funds to research and prevention, treatment for those infected, prevention methods for those traveling to infected countries, and collaborate efforts from other countries. Thus, the policy follows the policy model to formulate the Presidents Malaria Initiative and Other U.S. Government Global Malaria Efforts.

Published: Apr 24, 2. (2020, April 24). The President's Malaria Initiative and Other U.S. Government Global Malaria Efforts. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/fact-sheet/the-u-s-government-and-global-malaria/

CDC - Malaria - About Malaria. (2020, March 12). Retrieved June 28, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html

Post #2

Kerry Enokian ,

Hello I have chosen theMassachusetts School Immunization Policy that requires all students including international students attending educational programs in Massachusetts and students over the age of 18 must be vaccinated as stated in 105 CMR 220.000 (Mass.gov, 2020). There is a recommended immunization schedule according to age/ grade. Students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade are required to get DTap/Tdap, polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, and the Varicella vaccine (Mass.gov, 2020). This year (2020-2021) there is a new requirement that has been added to be immunized against Meningitis with the MenACWY vaccine (formerly MCV4) (Mass.gov, 2020). I chose this policy because it is becoming more common to see parents getting waivers to not vaccinate their children. I think this is an extremely important topic as we head into the possibility of mandating the future vaccine for Covid19. Many unvaccinated people benefit from herd immunity, but that theory relies on a certain percentage of the population being vaccinated and having immunity. I believe in autonomy, but I also believe in vaccinating for the greater good of our population.

Given the current circumstances I do think that any person in high risk situations should have to get vaccinated for Covid19, but I don't feel it is necessary for children. If they can prove that the vaccine works in adults, or high risk populations, I don't think children need it. The vaccinations that are mandated are childhood diseases, not adult diseases. I believe that since children are not experiencing the worst symptoms themselves they should not have to vaccinated, unless they choose. Healthcare workers, those in group home settings, adults over 50 should be the targeted group for this vaccine.Since this is the first pandemic in our lifetime, the policies that are put into place for this virus could shape the way we handle any other pandemics in the future.

The current vaccination policy allows for religious and medical exemption, but a growing number of parents are misinformed on the safety of vaccines. I myself fell into that when my son was diagnosed with autism and I was looking for someone/thing to blame. I believe in this policy, it has kept our country safe from many outbreaks that used to be common. It is important to uphold this policy, but also to acknowledge that if/when we get a vaccination for Covid19 that our children are not the primary targets.

Reference

Mass.gov. (2020). School Immunizations. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations