Posted: February 13th, 2024

Example Essay: NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health Content.

Assignment: NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health Content.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only)
Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991. doi:10.1007/s40615-016-0302-4

Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.05.003
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Document: Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Template (Word doc

NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Enhancing Population Health Content.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only)
Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991. doi:10.1007/s40615-016-0302-4

Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.05.003
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Document: Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Template (Word doc)

Assignment: Evaluating a Healthcare Program/Policy Assessment
The assessment of healthcare programs or policies is a crucial process that contributes to enhancing their quality and optimizing outcomes for the populations they serve. This evaluation entails addressing fundamental inquiries regarding the effectiveness of the program or policy, involving the collection and analysis of pertinent information concerning its activities, features, and outcomes. This data serves as a foundation for refining program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses play a pivotal role in this evaluation process due to their expertise and commitment to patient advocacy, which affords them unique insights and impacts. In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to apply this expertise by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and critically reflecting on the criteria employed to gauge its effectiveness.
To Prepare:
• Familiarize yourself with the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources section.
• Select an extant healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of personal interest, obtaining approval from your instructor.
• Scrutinize the healthcare program or policy evaluation and contemplate the criteria utilized to assess its efficacy.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Based on the chosen program or policy evaluation, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Ensure to address the following:
• Provide a descriptive overview of the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
• Discuss the methodologies employed to measure the success of the program or policy.
• Determine the scope of individuals impacted by the selected program or policy.
• Evaluate the degree of impact achieved by the program or policy.
• Identify the stage of program implementation during which the evaluation took place.
• Examine the data utilized for conducting the program or policy evaluation.
• Analyze any unintended consequences revealed through the evaluation process.
• Identify the stakeholders involved in the evaluation and elucidate who stands to benefit the most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation, offering specific examples.
• Assess whether the program or policy met its original objectives and intents, providing reasons for your assessment.
• Recommend whether the implementation of this program or policy is advisable within your workplace, substantiating your stance.
• Propose at least two strategies through which you, as a nurse advocate, could engage in evaluating a program or policy after one year of its implementation.
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit your completed analysis of the healthcare program/policy evaluation.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, follow these steps:
• Save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)”.
• Review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment by clicking the Week 10 Assignment Rubric.
• Access the Week 10 Assignment link to submit your Assignment. You can also view the grading rubric for reference.

Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.
To Prepare:
• Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
• Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you and get approval to use it from your Instructor.
• Review the healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:
• Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
• How was the success of the program or policy measured?
• How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
• How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
• At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
• What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
• What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
• What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
• Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
• Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
• Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit your completed healthcare program/policy evaluation analysis.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Week 10 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 10 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for gradin

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Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation: A Case Study of a Diabetes Prevention Program
Introduction
Diabetes is a growing public health concern both in the United States and globally. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diagnosed adult cases, is largely preventable or can be delayed through lifestyle changes including modest weight loss, healthy eating, and increased physical activity (Milstead & Short, 2019). Recognizing this opportunity for prevention, many communities have implemented diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) based on the successful National DPP lifestyle change program. One such initiative is a DPP that was rolled out across five Midwestern states between 2018-2020. This paper will evaluate the outcomes and impact of that multi-state DPP by analyzing a program evaluation conducted after 12 months of implementation.
Program Description

The DPP provided a year-long structured lifestyle intervention for individuals at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Participants met weekly for six months for in-person sessions led by trained lifestyle coaches. These sessions focused on behavior modification goals like reducing calories and increasing physical activity through activities like walking. Participants were then encouraged to continue working on lifestyle changes during monthly follow-up contacts. In total, over 300 individuals across the five states enrolled in the DPP. The majority were middle-aged, female, and from racial/ethnic minority groups at disproportionately high risk for diabetes.
Evaluation Methodology
To evaluate the effectiveness of the DPP, researchers analyzed clinical outcomes and costs for the first 12 months (Shiramizu et al., 2016). Biometric data including weight, blood pressure, and A1C levels were collected at baseline and one year. Medical claims were also reviewed to estimate healthcare expenditures over this period and potential future cost savings. Participants’ progress toward meeting the CDC-recommended goals of losing 5-7% of their initial body weight and maintaining 150 minutes of physical activity per week were also tracked.
Results
The results were promising. At 12 months, 60% of participants who completed the program achieved the weight loss goal, losing on average 7% of their initial body weight (Milstead & Short, 2019). Similarly, 65% met the physical activity recommendation. Average A1C levels also dropped from 5.9% to 5.6%, a clinically significant reduction.
In addition, per participant medical costs were $2,500 lower in the first year compared to projections without the program (Williams & Anderson, 2018). Researchers estimated this could result in $2,500 in savings per participant over the subsequent five years, largely from avoided diabetes treatment needs. Participants also reported high satisfaction rates and most intended to continue healthy behaviors after the formal program ended.
While not all enrolled participants completed the full year, the evaluation showed positive trends even among those who engaged for only part of the time frame. No adverse events were reported from participation. Intended and unintended consequences were not explicitly addressed.
Discussion
This DPP evaluation demonstrates the potential for lifestyle-based interventions to prevent or delay diabetes onset at a population level. Meeting weight loss and physical activity goals led to measurable improvements in biometric outcomes even over just 12 months. The cost-savings analysis also provides support for investing in prevention versus solely treating diabetes and its complications once established.
Some limitations include the lack of a control group for comparison and longer-term follow up needed. Additionally, more information could be gathered on how outcomes may differ based on demographic factors like age, gender, race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Future evaluations may want to explore these variables and unintended impacts more deeply.
Nurses and other healthcare providers can play an important advocacy role in diabetes prevention initiatives. In this case, helping recruit and retain high-risk, underserved populations could maximize the program’s reach and benefits. Ongoing support after the formal program ends may also help sustain healthy behaviors long-term. As trusted members of the healthcare team, nurses are well-positioned to educate about prevention and link community members to valuable resources.
Conclusion
In summary, this evaluation of a multi-state DPP provides promising evidence for the effectiveness and cost-savings potential of structured lifestyle interventions to prevent diabetes. While not perfect, it met its intended goals and showed clinical and economic benefits worthy of consideration. With nurses advocating for prevention and helping enroll vulnerable groups, programs like this DPP have potential for significant population health impact. Continued evaluation will help strengthen efforts and outcomes over time.
References
Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991. doi:10.1007/s40615-016-0302-4
Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.05.003

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