Reading Assignment

 Chapter 4: Priority-setting for national health policies, strategies and plans. (2021). In
Strategizing national health in the 21st century: a handbook. World Health
Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategizing-national-health-in-the-21st-
century-a-handbook

 Chapter 5: Strategic planning: transforming priorities into plans. (2021). In Strategizing national
health in the 21st century: a handbook. World Health
Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategizing-national-health-in-the-21st-
century-a-handbook

 Enock, K., & Markwell, S. (2009). Principles underpinning the development of policy options and
the strategy for their delivery. Public Health Textbook.
https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/organisation-management/5d-
theory-process-strategy-development/stragtegy-communication-implementation

 Schmidt, J., & Lacock, M. (2009). Theories of strategic planning. Health Knowledge.
https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/organisation-management/5d-
theory-process-strategy-development/strategic-planning

Discussion Assignment

In the reading, Understanding the theory and process of strategy development index: Strategy
communication and strategy implementation in relation to health care, by Enrock & Markwell, a
strategic planning checklist by Swanton and Frost (2007, p. 119) is cited.

Choose a health topic from your country of residence (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc.) Give
a brief overview of your topic and answer one of the questions provided in the planning checklist
(Swanson and Frost. 2007, p. 119) based on research. Be sure you begin your post by stating
your chosen health topic.

Planning Checklist

Chosen Health Topic

Questions Evidence
Existing Needed
Do something Does evidence exist that show the need What further evidence is needed
 for action? to confirm need?
What/who is the Is there clear evidence of the rationale What further evidence is needed
target? for targeting? to confirm targets?
Is there a clear understanding of the
How/where to What further evidence is needed
methodology and cause and effect
intervene? to define the methodology?
chain?
What specifically What is the full range of potential
Are there gaps in understanding?
could be done? action?
What specifically Is there a need for feasibility
What is practical to deliver?
should be done? tests?

Your Discussion should be a minimum of 250 words in length and not more than 750 words. Use
APA citations and references for the textbook and any other sources used.

Chosen Health Topic: Obesity in the United States

Obesity has been a significant public health concern in the United States for many years. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the prevalence of obesity was
42.4% in 2017-2018 (CDC, 2020). Obesity increases the risk of many health conditions,
including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Question: What/who is the target?

Evidence:

Existing: There is substantial evidence that obesity affects all age groups and demographics in
the U.S., but some groups are more affected than others. For example, middle-aged adults (45-54
years) have the highest obesity prevalence at 44.8% (CDC, 2020). Also, non-Hispanic Black
adults (49.6%) have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanic adults
(44.8%), non-Hispanic White adults (42.2%), and non-Hispanic Asian adults (17.4%) (CDC,
2020). Moreover, socioeconomic status plays a significant role, with lower-income individuals
and families being more likely to suffer from obesity.

Needed: Further research is needed to understand the specific factors contributing to obesity
within these high-risk groups. Identifying the unique social, environmental, and genetic factors
that contribute to obesity in these groups will help design targeted interventions. Additionally, it
would be beneficial to investigate the effectiveness of previous interventions targeted at these
groups to inform future strategies.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Adult Obesity Facts.
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Chosen Health Topic: Hypertension in Cameroon

In Cameroon, hypertension is a prevalent health issue. As per the World Health Organization, the
prevalence of hypertension in Cameroon was 29.7% in 2015(WHO,2015). The disease is often associated
with unhealthy lifestyle choices such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol
consumption. Hypertension can lead to serious complications like stroke, heart failure, kidney diseases,
and premature death if not treated early and managed properly (WHO,2021).

Question: Do something – Does evidence exist that shows the need for action?

Existing Evidence: According to a study titled "Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of
hypertension in Cameroon: findings from a national population-based survey" published in the Journal
of Hypertension in 2019, only 34.5% of hypertensive individuals were aware of their condition, and only
29.4% of those aware were receiving treatment(Dzudie et.al, 2015). Furthermore, only 7.3% of treated
individuals had their blood pressure under control. These findings demonstrate a substantial gap in the
detection, treatment, and control of hypertension in Cameroon, indicating a critical need for action.

Needed Evidence: What further evidence is needed to confirm the need for action? Despite the
available evidence on the prevalence and poor management of hypertension in Cameroon, further
research is needed to understand the barriers to hypertension awareness, treatment, and control. This
could involve investigating the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hypertension among the
general population and health care providers (Enock & Markwell, 2009). Furthermore, there is a need for
research on the cost-effectiveness of various interventions for hypertension prevention and control, to
inform the development of national health policies and plans.

References:
Dzudie, A., Kengne, A. P., Muna, W. F. T., Ba, H., Menanga, A., Kouam, C. K., ... & Kingue, S. (2012).
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a self-selected sub-Saharan African
urban population: a cross-sectional study. BMJ open, 2(4), e001217.

World Health Organization. (2021). Hypertension. Retrieved from:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension/#tab=tab_1

World Health Organization. (2015). Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2014. World
Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2021). Strategizing national health in the 21st century: a handbook. World
Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategizing-national-health-in-the-21st-
century-a-handbook

Enock, K., & Markwell, S. (2009). Principles underpinning the development of policy options and the
strategy for their delivery. Public Health Textbook. https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-
textbook/organisation-management/5d-theory-process-strategy-development/stragtegy-
communication-implementation