Infectious vs. Chronic Diseases
Part I:
- Describe which currently has the largest impact on the nation’s health: infectious diseases or chronic diseases?
- Explain your response using epidemiological measures and supportive evidence from academic research.
Part II:
- Analyze how public health upholds individual rights while protecting societal rights through prevention strategies of both types of diseases (e.g., adding fluoride to the water to reduce dental carries).
- Discuss the ethical issues associated with the role of public health in protecting societal rights as well as individual rights.
Utilize at least two scholarly sources (one could be the textbook) to support your points.
Guided Response: Imagine that you are an individual who feels your rights are being violated because of a public health initiative (e.g., helmet use, water fluoridation, seatbelt laws, etc.). Respond to at least two of your classmates by posting an argument in response to their analysis of how public health initiatives uphold individual rights while protecting societal rights. In that response, explain how public health might be viewed as infringing on your personal rights. Support your argument with at least two scholarly sources (one may be the textbook).
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your discussion.