HS 140: Introduction to Health Professions Fall 2020
Guided Discussion and Paper on the Role of the Government in Promoting Health and Healthy Behaviors.
Background: Federal and state governments have a long history of taking actions that will help people to maintain health and safety. Three main ways that the government may intervene include:
1. Promote access to health information. This includes laws that require that labels reflect accurate information about ingredients and/or health benefits (or risks). Warnings on tobacco and alcohol packaging are good examples.
2. Protect people from harm caused by individuals or groups. This includes things like: laws prohibiting driving while intoxicated, laws designed to enhance workplace safety, and laws to ensure that the food supply is safe.
3. Promote health through actions designed to make groups of people safer, such as mandatory immunizations before enrolling in school, and laws requiring water fluoridation.
Alternatively, the government may tax goods or services in an attempt to make them less attractive to consumers. For instance,
there are high taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. Taxes on “sugar sweetened beverages” have been passed in several cities. Collectively, these are often referred to as “sin” taxes.
The government can also pass laws to penalize people or businesses who engage in risky behaviors. For instance: seat belt laws, speed limit laws, underage drinking laws, laws about mandatory safety features (ex: airbags in cars), helmet laws. Questions: All students will submit written answers to these questions. It will take approximately 5 pages to completely respond to the questions. You must include references to support your point. Please use APA format for citations in the body of the text and in the reference list.
1. Should the government provide education in an effort change people’s behaviors in the interest of health? For example, is it the role of the government to educate about immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, benefits of exercise, benefits of eating fruits and vegetables? Or are these matters of personal choice and freedom? Identify three specific behaviors, then present an argument for both sides of the issue. That is, specify why the government should AND should not be involved in these educational efforts.
2. Do you believe taxes are an appropriate method of changing behaviors? Do you believe there are fundamental difference between taxes on 1) cigarettes, 2) alcohol, 3) sugar-sweetened beverages, and 4) tanning? Why or why not? Be prepared to talk about three pros and three cons related to “sin taxes.” Identify two groups of people who might support “sin” taxes. For instance, state governors might support taxes in order to increase revenue. Who else might be in favor of and

opposed io taxes and why provide evidence oi speciiic instances when taxes have effectively changed people’s health-related behavior and instances when they have not been effective in changing behavior.
3. Is legislation ever necessary to change people’s behaviors? Has legislation related to seat belt use been effective? What about laws related to driving while impaired? Gun control? Smoking? Be prepared to explain the pros and cons of using laws to promote healthy behaviors.
4. Summary. Now that you have researched the data, write about your overall feelings about the government having a role in health-related behaviors. Identify benefits and risks of government involvement in promoting health and healthy behaviors. What forms of government involvement make the most sense to you? The least?
In class, we will have a discussion about these questions. All students are required to participate in the discussion. You will be graded on both your contributions to the discussion and on the written responses to the questions.