Public Health: Leadership and Management, Advocacy, Lobbying, and Evaluation Strategies

1
Public Health
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

2
Public Health
Part A
Question 1
Difference between Leadership and Management
It is important to note that both leadership and management are important for the smooth
functioning of a healthcare organization (1). Leadership refers to the process of social influence
that maximizes others’ efforts toward the attainment of an organizational goal while management
refers to the organization and coordination of organizational activities to accomplish defined
goals or objectives. The primary difference between leadership and management involves the
structure of authority (2). Being a manager involves having subordinates while leadership may
not require any subordinate (3). The traits of a leader include vision, integrity, honesty,
inspiration, effective communication skills, ability to challenge, and motivation (4). On the other
hand, the traits of a manager include an increased focus on employees, process management, and
the ability to direct (5). A leader innovates or invents whereas a manager organizes (6). A leader
invents new ideas and kick-starts organizational transition or shift to a forward-thinking stage. In
contrary, a manager generally maintains what has already been established. Lastly, a leader
inspires trust while a manager banks on control (7).
Question 2
Importance of Public Health Advocacy
Public health advocacy refers to educating, mobilizing, and organizing for system change
in the health of the population. It plays an important role in healthcare by identifying future and
current threats in healthcare by influencing, legislating, and changing the environment to
establish circumstances in which effective and optimal health is obtained. Public health advocacy

3
enhances health and protects the health rights of individuals (8). It is carried out to enhance or
improve community health through improved health programs and policies. In the same vein,
Public health advocacy is a significant element of and attempts to establish healthier
environment. It ensures access to quality care and advocacy to decrease economic, social, and
health inequalities (9).
Subsequently, Public health advocacy transforms and improves schools and
neighborhoods to become places which ensures and advocates the wellbeing and health of
everybody in the society. It makes optimum social and physical health, a reality for all
individuals. Public health advocacy works to mitigate chronic disorders through conducting
research on strategies which aim to prevent the occurrences of chronic diseases (10). It
constructs advocacy campaigns through a well-established framework to educate the public on
prevention and some of the common symptoms of chronic diseases so that the patients can report
to the doctors in case any of the symptoms are noticed (11). Public health advocacy also educates
the public on the importance of physical activity and nutritious dietary habits. This plays a great
role in the maintenance of better health and increases the well-being of the public (12). Lastly,
Public health advocacy prevents the contraction of airborne diseases such as tuberculosis through
imparting awareness and provision of basic services (13).
Question 3
Difference between Lobbying and Advocacy
Lobbying refers to an attempt to influence a public official or healthcare official on an
issue (13). On the other hand, advocacy argues in favor of an idea or cause. This can include
numerous public welfare issues which impact the community such as minority rights,
environmental protection, cultural acceptance, gender equality and many more. An example of

4
an advocacy includes notifying the Congress members about how a policy impacts the
constituents, using social media to obtain views about an issue, or meeting a government
employee to elucidate how a certain issue or problem is impacting a specific environment,
organization, or group of people (14). In contrary an example of lobbying involves asking
members of the Congress to introduce, amend, or vote against a certain legislation (15).
Question 4
Reasons why Evaluation of Advocacy Strategy is Important
First, evaluation strengthens advocacy and supports sustainability. It provides
information which can aid grantees to make their work efficient. Secondly, evaluation helps to
spread what works. For example, it can help the funders to discover the furtive ingredients of
implementing an effective program. An example of this would be: Factors that make an
institution successful (16). Advocacy evaluation increases the constituents’ awareness about the
need of a policy. It also helps the advocates to understand the magnitude to which the advocacy
effort has contributed towards the advancement of a policy or goal. It enables the evaluators to
learn what works better, what does not work, and what works in order to attain improved future
efforts and advocacy (17). Lastly, evaluation of advocacy strategy helps the evaluators to assess
whether direct services or a program has been successful. In other words, it assesses the
outcomes or progress of the advocacy, for example, changes in a public policy (18).
PART B
McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth aims at minimizing alcohol
consumption amongst the youth. It also takes appropriate actions which are effective and
efficient in preventing harmful drinking. I secured a job at the McCusker Centre for Action on
Alcohol and Youth after completing my post graduation in Masters of Public Health. As a part of