Learning Goal: I’m working on a health & medical writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
For this “Issue Research� assignment, you will conduct online research on your selected topic (Food Insecurity in San Diego, California). The following questions can help you narrow down the most important information you will need for the Issue Brief.
- Define the facts and playing field: What important context is needed to understand this topic? Why does the topic matter?
- What questions did you study? What is the gap in knowledge that your research fills?
- What is the magnitude of the problem? Compare national, state, and local (the area you are most invested in – this could be San Diego or your hometown)
- What is the impact on populations, communities, and costs? What are the immediate to long-term health consequences?
- What are the indirect-health consequences (e.g., economic, social, political) of this problem?
- How is this particular problem related to other health challenges or issues? (Where is the intersection with other issues?
- What are the unique/novel/key findings or takeaways from your studies?
- What are the available interventions, strategies, and policies to address this problem?
NOTE: Include high-level details on your methods that are important to understand. Avoid in-depth descriptions of research methods. Incorporate data, study findings, survey findings, and others’ policy experiences.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
- Conduct research on your assigned topic. Refer to the questions above to help you.
- Format your Issue Brief using Microsoft Word or Google Doc to include the following sections:
- TITLE: Short, descriptive, and understandable title to capture a reader’s attention. Don’t over-promise. Avoid academic jargon.
- BACKGROUND/CONTEXT (200-300 words): Define the facts and playing field: What important context is needed to understand this topic? Why does the topic matter? What is the impact on populations, communities, and costs? What questions did you study? What is the gap in knowledge that your research fills?
- Key Takeaways (300-400 words maximum): These set the stage for policy and practice considerations in the next section. What are the unique/novel/key findings or takeaways from your studies? How do the local, state and national issues vary, if at all? Incorporate data, study findings, survey findings, and others’ policy experiences. Charts, graphs, maps, and icons are great here.
- Conclusion & Implications (400-500 words maximum): This section showcases real-world implications: What are the key FEDERAL policy/practice considerations or options, based on the findings presented? Include the potential impact on populations, public health, or potential cost savings, if applicable. Bucket implications into a few categories using subheadings, if needed.
- References: Strive for no more than five. Recommend APA or AMA style.