6HL006 Health Policy Analysis Essay

This assignment requires students to write a 3000-word essay analyzing a selected health policy or strategy, focusing on policy making, implementation, and evaluation within national or local health services. Students must critically analyze key features of health policy and practice, using a theoretical model of policy analysis. The essay should include a discussion of the background and context of the chosen policy, propose enhancements for improvement, and demonstrate a balance between theoretical perspectives and practical implications. The assignment focuses on the 'Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action 2016' with a specific focus on the soft drinks levy. Students are expected to use a range of literature sources, including academic books, peer-reviewed publications, and reports from national and international organizations.

6HL006 Assessment Guidelines
ASSESSMENT TASK
You are required to submit a 3000 word paper which will explore and examine the
evidence and values that underpin a selected policy or strategy (or one particular
component of a policy or strategy) in terms of policy making, implementation and
evaluation in national or local health services.
The paper should demonstrate your achievement of the following learning outcomes;
• Critically analyse the key features of health policy. Include discussion on how
to influence policy giving examples.
• Critically discuss the key features of health practice. Explore barriers to
practice and evaluate the quality monitoring processes
• Give examples from practice which result in improving practice.
You should choose ONE of the following as the focus for your assignment;
1. Childhood Obesity: A Plan for Action 2016 click here as a
open hyperlink
You should provide;
 An outline and critical discussion of the key features of the chosen policy
including the background and context of the policy
Chosen policy is the soft drinks levy is working please seen attached Plan for Action
2016 has been highlighted with orange marker
• Apply a theoretical model of policy analysis to critically appraise your chosen
policy for this please see our lecture Models for policy analysis and evaluation( attached )
Stages model of policy making-
On agenda
• Not on agenda
• Decision for reform
• Decision against reform
• Successful implementation
• Unsuccessful implementation

 Propose enhancements or improvements to improve the effectiveness and
impact of your chosen policy On your plan for action you need t propose
enhancements or improvements to improve the effectiveness and impact of your chosen
policy. This can be more than one.
 The soft drinks levy is working even before it's applied

Take a look at this article from the Behavioural Insights Team.
http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?
u=8cdb18d899017fd1ee9804a22&id=5aa9d5675c&e=5b6b1f3d0a
It could be useful for those of you who have chosen the Childhood Obesity Strategy
as the focus of the assignment.
Things to think about, who are the Behavioural Insights Team, what is their agenda,
who funds them, are they a source of reliable and and credible information - all things
you should ask when assessing the value, reliability and credibility of any
information.
General guidance
 The paper is expected to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of
health policy and strategy;
 The concepts and terms described in the paper should be well defined with
appropriate reference to the literature as well as your own understanding;
 There should be a balance between theoretical presentation of the topic (i.e.
drawing on the necessary theoretical perspectives) and practical implications for
health (i.e. providing specific and practical examples);
 A range of literature sources providing contrasting and/or contradictory opinions
should be provided, correctly referenced and discussed within the context of the
paper. (NB. Only cited items should be included on the reference list)
 The references should include academic books and textbooks; peer reviewed
publications from the academic journals; and reports by national and international
organizations;
 A maximum of 3 internet sources can be used, and where internet sources are
used, these should reliable and evidence-based sources and correctly
referenced with the website address and date (NOTE: web links alone are not
acceptable and Wikipedia (and other sites as such) ARE NOT appropriate
references)