This assessment task requires you to prepare a media release of a public health issue. You will present your media release as a 600 word written media release statement, as well as a 2-3 minute video presentation.
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Learning Outcomes
The purpose of this assessment task is for you to:
1. Critically evaluate issues related to professional practice in public health
3. Apply project management theories to public health practice
4. Analyse, summarise and explain issues related to public health to stakeholders
5. Apply professionalism and teamwork skills in workplace contexts.
Requirements
The purpose of this assessment is to practice making a public health announcement to the media.
You are to prepare your public health announcement in two parts:
1. as a 600 word media release statement.
2. as a 2-3 minute video presentation.
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Possible examples
A list of possible examples of public health issues you might choose is listed below. You can use your example in both this assessment, as well as Assessment 4: Project management plan.
In developing your media release and video presentation, it will ideally be a real public health project that you are or will be involved with. If you are not currently or not planning to be involved with an identified project, then you can choose and develop a hypothetical project.
Examples of public health issues that you might like to use:
• a health protection issue (e.g. communicable disease outbreak; food-borne illness; mosquito-borne illness)
• a health promotion initiative (e.g. healthy eating; men’s health)
• a new public health policy (e.g. legalisation of medicinal cannabis; smoking ban in outdoor spaces)
• a warning on a public health issue (e.g. cycle helmets; mobile phone use whilst driving; product withdrawals)
• environmental health alert (e.g. thunderstorm asthma; blue-green algae in a recreational waterway; smoke from industrial fire, bushfire or planned burns)
I have chosen food borne illness because it is easy, and it will help a lot to tackle the final project if you have other opinions please contact me. Also, you may link it to Australian festivals in Melbourne where multiple food trucks and stations present. All these issues related to Australia so be mindful to use Australian resources as Possible.
Your video presentation and media release statement should be prepared for the general public, and therefore should be in a language that this group would understand. It must therefore avoid the use of jargon, and explain specialised concepts in terms understandable to the general public.
Your video presentation and media release statement should be based on peer-reviewed scientific literature that you have sourced for yourself through literature and database searches; that is, scientific journal articles, papers, books and so on. You can also reference published government reports and publications, institutional reports and regulatory standards, and other similar official materials. Do not use general websites for information.
So, for the video presentation just write a page adj summarizing the media release to be suitable for an audio-visual audience. So, I will do the video.
You must cite all of your sources using the Vancouver referencing style. If your contribution to the conversation includes the intellectual property (authored material) of others (including books, journal articles, grey literature, magazines, news articles, websites, social media, etc.) they must be given appropriate attribution.
Assessment details
1. Media release statement (10%)
Your written media release statement will be marked on your capacity to clearly communicate, in a written form, critical information on a public health issue to a public audience. It will focus on the content covered, and the way it is covered, including your written communication skills. Note that whilst you are expected to research the scenario topic and provide reasonably accurate information, you will not be marked down for minor errors of a technical / factual nature.
Your 600 word media release statement must:
1. refer to a real or hypothetical example of a public health issue.
2. have a clear, simple heading that describes what the media release is about, and is attention-grabbing.
3. be written as it is to be presented: direct to the audience it is intended to speak to (i.e. the public).
4. be written in simple clear and plain language (i.e. not use specialised medical jargon).
5. clearly refer to a trusted, credible source. This could be a medical officer, a government department (such as the Department of Health), or a government advisory body.
6. provide some very simple context about the topic being discussed.
7. state what the problem is that you are wanting to draw people’s attention to.
8. state the health effects that can be caused by this issue.
9. state what people should do about the issue in relation to their health.
10. state what people should do about the product in relation to the issue.
11. include contact numbers and websites that people can refer to for further information about the issue.
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Examples and resources
You might like to take a look at the following examples and resources, which may assist you with your media release:
1. News Release: Poison Mushroom Warning for Victoria. Health.Vic. 2018.
2. Media release: Two more cases linked to national listeria outbreak. NSW Health, 2018.
3. Product Safety Australia: Recalls, 2018.
4. Increase in syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM), 2017
5. Mercury in fish – Loddon River, 2016.
6. How to Write a Press Release, which details information about writing a media release statement, and which also includes a short example.
Note: you should NOT copy and just change the wording of any these (or any other) media release statements. Your work is expected to be original. There are severe penalties for plagiarism.
2. Video presentation (10%)
Your 2-3 minute video presentation must be based on your media release statement, but it must be tailored for oral, rather than written communication. You must not just read your media release statement, but instead present it in a form suitable for an audio-visual audience. It will be marked on your capacity to orally present information on a public health issue to a public audience. It will focus on your capacity to present the information in an oral form, and your oral communication skills.
The video presentation must:
• summarise the media release statement, and
• be tailored to be an oral (not written) piece.
In tailoring your media release statement to an oral presentation, it is suggested that you:
• streamline information so that the facts are easily understood by a listening public audience;
• ensure that you succinctly present the necessary facts, and do not get lost in too much unnecessary complexity.
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Additional information
• Note that you will NOT be marked on the production quality of the video (lighting, sound etc.) except in cases where the production quality is so poor that it is difficult to understand what is being said.
• You must present this as a video – you cannot just present it in audio format.
• You should also NOT use any other supporting material for your video presentation, such as a PowerPoint, tables, charts or images. That is, you should only speak to your audience.
• You might like to take a look at the website Effective Speaking1, which details information about speaking to audiences, including recording your voice.
Other resources
How to write a press release1. This website provides information, tips and links for writing a press release (such as a public health announcement) and which also includes a short example.
Managing Press and Public Relations around Disasters4. This website provides information, tips and links for managing media presentations in relation to disasters (such as a public health disease outbreak), including providing information to the media.
Effective speaking2. This website provides information, tips and links for speaking to audiences, including recording your voice.
Giving a speech3. This website provides information, tips and links for giving a speech, including the differences between speeches and presentations.
Please Aim for the High Distinction Research Topics – Criteria by accomplishing every point mentioned there.
Media Release
Food borne illness in Australia declining, but the risk remains high
Melbourne, Australia has an alarming rate of food borne illness prevalence compared to other global cities.1 Melbourne has recorded a high rate of food borne illness due to the doubling rate of salmonella poisoning incidences in the last one year. Salmonella is usually present in soil and water and it increases more rapidly when food is not managed well including refrigeration and washing2. The incidence of food borne diseases in Melbourne still remains high due to the complexity and vulnerability of the supply chains.
In spite of over 4 million Australians being sick because of food contamination annually, the total national percentage of food poisoning has been reducing10. In 2000, the food borne illness were 4.3 million cases annually. In 2010, the food borne illness reduced to 4.1 million cases1. The decline in the food illness cases is still small and more efforts should be put in improve food safety standards8.
Fresh Produce Safety Centre has created new food safety directives to help in improving the food safety. All food items can cause lead to the consumers in Australia falling ill due to contamination8. The food standards usually work equally to domestic foods as well as imported food items.
The Australian festivals conducted annually in Melbourne often leads to the outbreak of food borne diseases5. The local public health officials explain that the use of multiple food trucks that do not follow the food safety guidelines increases the risks for food borne illnesses. The local governments should improve their monitoring of all food trucks during the festivals9. Stricter supervision and monitoring of the food trucks will reduce the risks of food borne diseases in Melbourne.
I believe that the prevalence of food borne illness in Melbourne is a severe issue that require proper health intervention to improve health of the people. People relies on food items to remain healthy. When the food distributors are not offering clean foods, it creates a serious menace in Melbourne that should be controlled effectively.
In case of a food borne disease outbreak, doctors are required to notify the local health departments. Citizens, local government bodies, and other entities can also voluntarily issue report about food borne disease outbreaks4. The health agencies should rely on standards methods to review the outbreaks and summarize the findings.
Causes
The three main causes of food-borne illness include viruses, bacteria, and food toxins. Bacteria is the main cause of food poisoning and contamination weakens the immunity system of the affected persons. The health effects associated with weak immunity system due to bacterial infection includes vomiting, mild fever, feeling weak, nausea, and diarrhea among others. Children, elderly persons, and expectant women are more vulnerable to food borne diseases due to their weak immune system.2 The public health officials have been presenting reports about the causes of food-borne illnesses in Melbourne.
Microbial contamination not chemicals causing problems
Popular public perception is that chemical contamination and risks of pesticide is the main threat of food borne diseases, which is not true. Microbial contamination is the main threat of food borne illnesses. Food distributors have been helping in the creation of comprehensive food safety guidelines and regulations6. The collaboration between the Australian government and the food distributors and growers has helped to increase the compliance in the use of chemicals. Unlike chemicals, microbial contamination is the key threat because it could grow and expand through the supply chain networks7.
The recommendable solution is for the Australian governments and relevant sectors to work together in lowering the prevalence and incidence of food borne illnesses3. The education of consumers about hygiene and food safety guidelines is also relevant. For example, “the consumers will ensure the food trucks are clean and follows all food safety guidelines before purchasing the food products.”1 Therefore, collaboration of the public, government agencies, health departments and private food distributors will help to reduce the risks of food borne illnesses in Australia.
Ends
Notes for Editors:
1. The Australian government’s department of health presents various reports on the incidence and prevalence of food borne illness in Australia. For further information on the reports and list of key stakeholders, please visit https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-foodborne-illness-aust.
2. The Fresh Produce Safety Centre is a new, non-profit organization created to offer fresh items in Australia and New Zealand. Available from: https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/foodsafetycentre.com.au/other-resources.php.
For more information, please contact: enquiries@dhhs.vic.gov.au or 1300 650 172
Summary for Presentation
• The national rate of food poisoning has been reducing over the last few years.
• In 2010, the recorded cases were 4.1 million compared to 4.3 million incidences in 2000.
• However, the risks of food borne illnesses remains high.
• The Australian government should expand the food safety standards to reduce the prevalence of the food contamination.
• Recently, Queensland health department noted that salmonella poisoning cases doubled in the last one year.
• Salmonella cases increased because of poor management of food items such as poor refrigeration and washing
• Independent organizations including the Fresh Produce Safety Centre has worked to create safety directives to reduce risks of food borne illnesses.
• The Australian festivals conducted annually in Melbourne often leads to the outbreak of food borne diseases.
• During the festivals, the use of multiple food trucks increases the risks for food borne illnesses.
• Stricter supervision and monitoring of the food trucks will reduce the risks of food borne diseases in Melbourne.
• In case of a food borne disease outbreak, doctors are required to notify the local health departments.
• Citizens, local government bodies, and other entities can also voluntarily issue report about food borne disease outbreaks
• The Australian health agencies should rely on standards to review the food borne illnesses
• Australian consumers should understand the risk of food borne diseases is high because of the incidence of microbial contamination.
• Causes
• The three main causes of food-borne illness include viruses, bacteria, and food toxins.
• Children, elderly persons, and expectant women are more vulnerable to food borne diseases due to their weak immune system.
• Microbial contamination not chemicals causing problems
• Chemical contamination and risks of pesticide is seen as the main threat of food borne diseases, which is not true.
• Microbial contamination is the main threat of food borne illnesses.
• Food distributors have been helping in the creation of comprehensive food safety guidelines and regulations
• The collaboration between the Australian government and the food distributors and growers has helped to increase the compliance in the use of chemicals.
• Microbial contamination is the key threat and has increased due through the supply
• chains
• Potential solution is for reducing food borne illness is the Australian governments and relevant sectors to working together.
• The education of consumers about hygiene and food safety guidelines is also relevant.
• Food trucks operators should be clean and follows all food safety guidelines
• The collaboration of the public, government agencies, health departments and private food distributors will help to reduce the risks of food borne illnesses in Australia.
References List
1. Australian Government. The Department of Health. Foodborne disease outbreaks in Australia, 1995 to 2000. Retrieved from https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-pubs-cdi-2004-cdi2802-htm-cdi2802j.htm.
2. Bhunia AK. Foodborne microbial pathogens: mechanisms and pathogenesis. London, UK: Springer; 2018 May 21.
3. Ford L, Kirk M, Glass K, Hall G. Sequelae of foodborne illness caused by 5 pathogens, Australia, circa 2010. Emerging infectious diseases. 2014 Nov;20(11):1865.
4. Gibney KB, O’Toole J, Sinclair M, Leder K. Disease burden of selected gastrointestinal pathogens in Australia, 2010. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2014 Nov 1;28:176-85.
5. Kirk M, Ford L, Glass K, Hall G. Foodborne illness, Australia, circa 2000 and circa 2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2014 Nov;20(11):1857.
6. Moffatt CR, Musto J, Pingault N, Miller M, Stafford R, Gregory J, Polkinghorne BG, Kirk MD. Salmonella Typhimurium and outbreaks of egg-associated disease in Australia, 2001 to 2011. Foodborne pathogens and disease. 2016 Jul 1;13(7):379-85.
7. Neff RA, Kanter R, Vandevijvere S. Reducing food loss and waste while improving the public’s health. Health affairs. 2015 Nov 1;34(11):1821-9.
8. Pollard CM, Mackintosh B, Campbell C, Kerr D, Begley A, Jancey J, Caraher M, Berg J, Booth S. Charitable Food Systems’ Capacity to Address Food Insecurity: An Australian Capital City Audit. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2018 Jun 12;15(6).
9. Smith J, Ross K, Whiley H. Australian Food Safety Policy Changes from a “Command and Control” to an “Outcomes-Based” Approach: Reflection on the Effectiveness of Its Implementation. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2016 Dec 8;13(12):1218.
10. Veronica CG, Eduardo CT, Elke S. Semiquantitative and Qualitative Assessment for Determination of Sanitary Risk in Food Service Establishments. In Food Safety and Protection 2017 Sep 18 (pp. 3-28). New York: CRC Press.
