Asthma - A
serious
problem in Harlem and during Covid-19
Nia Francis
John H. Finley PS 129
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Social problem: Asthma in Harlem (District 5) Introduction: Asthma is a chronic disease involving inflamed
airways which make it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing
symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest
tightness (AAAA, 2021). The air quality of Harlem is poor with 1 in 4
children of low-income households suffering from asthma and, according to an
article titled “Clean Air Crisis in Harlem,” the respiratory health of East
and West Harlem residents is in crisis.
Asthma can be debilitating and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about 6 percent of all
Americans have asthma; the rate is believed to have doubled since 1980, but
no one knows why! New York City is thought to have a higher rate than other
major cities, with rates above 10 percent in Harlem. |
Task:
Individually, you work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and your job is to conduct a public policy analysis (PPA) to learn more about
this social problem and craft solutions especially vital during this Covid-19
pandemic.
Our task is to research the causes of the high asthma rate in Harlem, New
York. The health of all the Harlem residents during the Covid-19 pandemic can
be improved if the causes are identified and solutions are implemented. In
order to complete the PPA you will be guided by six steps on this website. The
steps are linked to descriptions of what they actually mean and a worksheet for
the step. You will do the worksheet for
each step.
By following the steps,
you will complete your PPA and help Harlem residents decide on two best public
policy solutions that will result in a significant reduction in the number of
asthma cases. After completing the six steps, your group will write a letter to
the Mayor, suggesting policy changes to support the numerous asthma cases
during Covid-19. The letter must include all SIX-STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST.
You should state the severity of asthma, show
evidence and causes for asthma and detail feasible public policy solutions.
Your letter should be a minimum of two pages with supporting graphs, tables,
and relevant illustrations.
Process:
Using
the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) tool your group will use the public policy
analyst tool to help guide your research in your project. The elements of the
public policy analyst are listed below in detail.
Step 1: Identify the nature of a social problem.
Your group will use Worksheet #1: Define the Problem to identify why the lack of sleep may impact
academic achievement.
Step 2: Gather evidence to support your problem.
Your group will use Worksheet #2: Gather Evidence to gather evidence that will support your
research.
Step 3: Determine the causes and factors
contributing to the problem.
Use Worksheet #3: Identify Causes to help your group identify the causes of the
lack of sleep by students. Use Worksheet #3 to help your group identify the
causes of academic deficiency in schools as it relates to sleep deprivation.
Step 4: Evaluate the existing policy.
Use Worksheet #4: Evaluating Policy to evaluate the current policy on the amount
of sleep and academic performance.
Step 5: Develop public policy alternatives
Use Worksheet #5: Develop Solutions/ Public Policy Alternatives to create additional public policy
alternatives based on the evaluation you will have conducted on current
policies on sleep.
Step 6: Determine the best public policy solution to
the problem
Use Worksheet #6: Best Policy Solution to identify the best public policy solution
to your problem (sleep deprivation) and explain why you have chosen this
particular solution and how this solution can be implemented.
Resources
·
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma
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https://projects.newsdoc.org/goinggreennewyork/indoor-pollution/clean-air-crisis-in-harlem/
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https://www.prb.org/tacklingasthmainwestharlem/
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
·
https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/metropolitan/our-services/asthma-care/
Evaluation
|
CATEGORY |
4 EXCELLENT |
3 VERY GOOD |
2 SATISFACTORY |
1 UNSATISFACTORY |
GRADE |
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Letter |
Shows a full understanding of
the topic. USES ALL STEPS OF PPA |
Shows a good understanding of
the topic. USES FIVE OF THE SIX STEPS OF THE PPA |
Shows a good understanding of
parts of the topic. USES ALL STEPS OF THE PPA WITH SOME ERRORS |
Does not seem to understand the
topic very well. INCORRECTLY USES OR FAILS TO USE PPA STEPS |
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Define the problem |
The problem is defined in 1
well-developed paragraph. Definitions are clear to the class. |
The problem is defined in 1
paragraph. Definitions are clear to the class. |
The problem is defined in 2
extended sentences. Definitions are somewhat clear. |
The problem is defined in a
short sentence. Definitions are somewhat unclear. |
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Gather evidence |
Evidence is coming from 4 or
more major sources. 2 extended tables and 2 graphs are presented. |
Evidence is coming from 3 major
sources. 2 extended tables and 1 graph are presented. |
Evidence is coming from 1 major
and 1 minor source. 1 small table is presented |
Evidence is coming from 1 minor
source. No tables are used. |
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Evaluate a policy |
Present public policy is clearly
presented and critically evaluated |
Present public policy is
clearly presented and evaluated |
Present public policy is
mentioned and shortly evaluated |
Present public policy is
mentioned but not evaluated |
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Select best solution |
Choice for the best solution is
clear and well explained, and convincing |
Choice for the best solution is
explained clearly and fairly. |
Choice for the best solution is
clear but not explained. |
Solution is put under question
by the group members |
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Typed report, including tables, pictures, and maps |
More than 2 pages with table,
graph, picture (3 total) |
2 pages with table, graph,
picture (2 total) |
Less than 2 pages with only one
supporting picture |
Less than 2 pages with no
picture |
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Conclusion:
After your investigation
you should now have a better understanding of the problems associated with
asthma during the Covid-19. By completing this Webquest, you have mastered
working with the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) steps to think of solutions for
individuals with asthma living in Harlem during the pandemic, and developed the
best strategy for dealing with this public problem that you believe can be
successful
NYS Common Core Standards:
ELA
RI.9-10.1-
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
W.9-10.4-
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and
style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
WHST.6-8.1.C- Use words, phrases, and clauses to create
cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons,
and evidence.
WHST.6-8.1.D - Establish and maintain a formal style.
WHST.6-8.1.E - Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the argument presented.
SCIENCE
RST.6-8.1- Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and
technical texts.
RST.6-8.2- Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an
accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.