Creating new policies is one of the most effective means by which public health can accomplish its goal of promoting and protecting the health of communities. Consider the lives that have been saved, and the human suffering and resources that have been spared, through policies such as mandatory seat belt use or restrictions on the advertisement and sale of tobacco.

When pursuing any public health aim, however, public health professionals need to be aware of the scope of their legal powers and duties. These legal powers depend on the kind of organization at which they work.

In thisAssignment, you are required to write a 3- to 5-page paper in which you propose three new policies for preventing or mitigating a significant public health problem, such as injuries, obesity, or bioterrorism. For this assignment, assume you work for your state health department, and make sure the policies you propose are in line with public health powers and duties.

Begin by selecting a significant public health problem and reading at least three research articles on your selected health problem. Then, create three new policies that could be effective in preventing and/or mitigating the identified problem. You may propose policies that are similar to existing ones, but your policies should demonstrate original thinking around, and new solutions to, the public health problems.

In a 3- to 5-page paper:

• Begin by summarizing the legal and ethical basis for public health and health services. In other words, what grounds would you have in proposing any new policies? What would be the limits of your powers to do so?

• Identify a significant public health issue and propose three new policies to address this issue. Explain how each policy would lead to positive change.

In addition, address the following questions in your paper:

• What is an ethical policy? Explain whether the policies you have created are ethical.

• What are the legal and ethical concerns that need to be addressed when implementing the policies?