Assessment 1 Applying Systems Thinking in Public health

Context:
Many public health issues are complex, and influenced by multiple interrelated
factors including biological, social, environmental, economic, cultural, political, health
service, and policy. Public health professionals need to understand a complex issue from
systems thinking perspective (a complex problem with many interconnected factors,
elements), and they must work across varioussectors (e.g. food, education, transport,
agriculture, housing, urban planning, media), and with key stakeholderssuch as
other professionals and community groups in order to improve population health
outcomes.

Instructions:
To prepare for this assessment, choose one public health issue (e.g. diabetes, obesity, cancer,
heart disease, mental health, substance misuse, air pollution, water and sanitation, road
accidents, suicide, etc.) in any country and examine how systems thinking can help to identify the

broader system issues, and recommend solutions for better management. This is a research-
based assignment which requires to conduct literature review on the selected topic on the

specific country context.
Then in approximately 1500 words (+/- 10%), please answer the following questions
considering your selected public health issue and country context.

• Describe the public health issue from systems thinking perspective (consider all direct and
indirect factors and explain the complexity of the issues or interconnectedness of the issues)
• Explain the roles of stakeholders, both within the health system and in other sectors in
addressing this issue (consider intersectoral action perspective)
• Drawing on research evidence, explain the obstacles (e.g. lack of cooperation among
stakeholders or lack of shared vision and leadership, feedback delay, lack of healthy policy,
fragile and fragmented health system, funding limitation, time constraints) that are preventing
the application of systems thinking and intersectoral approach to the issue.
• Based on the identified obstacles and literature, offer suggestions (e.g. developing shared
vision, cooperation and leadership, policy change or reform, creating supportive environment,
strengthening, and reorienting health system, increased budget allocation, empowering
community and individuals) for how systems thinking and an intersectoral approach could be
applied to the issue.

Report Structure
Your reportshould follow the following structure. The word count includes the
introduction, body and conclusion.

(Title of your assignment)
Assessment 1: PUBH6003: Student name, Student ID

Executive summary
Provide a short summary which gives the reader an overview of the report.
Introduction
Provide a short introduction which gives the reader an overview of the whole assignment.
Briefly introduce the public health issue in your chosen population (country). Explain that your
report will propose recommendations to address public health and healthcare system for this
population (country).
(No more than a half page)
Public Health Issue in (chosen population/country)
Influence factors
Describe the public health issue from systems thinking perspective (consider all direct and
indirect factors and explain the complexity/interconnectedness of the issues.
Health system
Explain the roles of stakeholders, both within the health system and in other sectors in
addressing this issue (consider intersectoral action perspective)
Challenges
Drawing on research evidence, explain the obstacles (e.g. lack of shared vision and
leadership/cooperation, feedback delay, lack of healthy policy, fragile and fragmented health
system, funding limitation, time constraints) that are preventing the application of systems
thinking and intersectoral approach to the issue.
Recommendations
Based on the identified obstacles and literature, offer suggestions (e.g. developing shared vision
and leadership, policy change or reform, creating supportive environment, strengthening, and
reorienting health system, increased budget allocation, empowering community and individuals)
for how systems thinking and an intersectoral approach could be applied to the issue.
Conclusion
In a short paragraph, provide a useful overall summary of your assignment for the reader. Do
not introduce any new information/ideas.

SubmissionInstructions:
Submit via the Assessment 1 – Report link in Assessment on main navigation menu in Blackboard

Assessment Criteria
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding ofsystemsthinking and an
intersectoral approach (20%)
• Showsthe ability to interpret and analyse relevant information and
literature on systems thinking and an intersectoral approach (30%)
• Demonstratesthe ability to apply knowledge and understanding of
systemsthinking and an intersectoral approach to a public health
problem (30%)

• Use of academic conventionsincluding appropriate resources and referencing (20%)
o Uses key readings and shows evidence of reading beyond the key reading
o There is a lucid introduction and clear conclusion or summary
o Complies with normal academic ofreferencing and
bibliographical details (including reference list, use 6th
version APA style)
o Is written clearly with accurate spelling, grammar and sentence
and paragraph construction