Governmental Programs and Influences on Them

Topic: Public Policies
Words: 1754 Pages: 6

Two Political Issues Affecting Art Program Success

First of all, involving the public in the decision-making process: studies have shown that when the public is consulted and their opinions are taken into account, program and policy success rates tend to be higher. This is likely because when people feel they have a say in how something is done, they are more likely to support it and to put in the effort needed for it to be successful. On the other hand, support from political leaders: Political leaders can play a huge role in the success or failure of programs and policies (Irvin & Stansbury, 2004). If they publicly endorse them, it can give them a boost and increase their chances of success.

However, if they do not support them or actively work against them, they are much less likely to succeed. Political leaders can also support the program by funding them (Irvin & Stansbury, 2004). Programs or policies that are funded through taxes can be more successful because the taxpayers are footing the bill. However, if a program or policy is funded through borrowing money, it may be less successful because future taxpayers will have to pay off the debt. Another political issue that can affect the success of programs and policies is how they are implemented. If they are not implemented well, they may not be as successful as they could be.

The benefits of art programming are numerous and well documented. In addition to reducing recidivism rates, art programs have been shown to improve self-esteem, encourage positive social interaction, build problem-solving skills, and provide an avenue for creative expression. By engaging youth in creative activities, we give them an opportunity to explore their talents and find new ways to express themselves positively (Baker et al., 2015). As Elliott et al. (2020) reported, of juveniles who had completed an arts-based intervention program, only 16 per cent were convicted of a new crime within two years. In contrast to a 44 per cent recidivism rate for juveniles who did not participate in any type of after-school program. In addition to reducing juvenile recidivism rates, participation in arts education programs has also been linked with higher academic achievement scores, reduced crime and violence rates, and decreased substance abuse levels (Irvin & Stansbury, 2004). So it is clear that when it comes to making decisions that affect the success of art programs, public participation is key.

The most important factor for the success of an art program in reducing juvenile delinquency is political support. As Wan et al. (2017) explained, when art programs are supported by the highest levels of a school district or community, they are more likely to enjoy longevity and be well funded. In order to ensure that art programs have the resources they need to be successful, it is important for political leaders to be vocal advocates for their implementation (Wan et al., 2017). The benefits of arts education are many, and juvenile recidivism is just one area where they can be seen. In order for art programs to make an impact in this area, however, they need the backing of political leaders. With their support, art programs can provide more influence as compared to when they do not support them or oppose them.

The table shows the results of the art program data.

Total number of juveniles in the location Convicted before arts-based intervention program Convicted after the arts-based intervention program % of non-convicted before the program % of the convicted after the program
6000 4400 1600 44 16

Art Program Results on Juveniles

Three Economic Concerns Affecting Solution

Employment, economic condition changes, and taxes are the three concerns that might impede the cardiovascular health program solution approval. While lack of employment might not impede the cardiovascular health program solution approval, it could lead to other problems that would have an indirect impact on the program. For example, without a job, people might have less money to spend on healthier foods, leading to poorer nutrition and an increased likelihood of developing obesity or other chronic health conditions (Troumbis et al., 2021). Additionally, prolonged periods of unemployment could lead to stress and depression, both of which are known risk factors for heart disease. Finally, unemployed individuals may be less likely to have access to preventive health care services such as screenings and routine checkups, which could delay the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

One potential obstacle to the successful implementation of cardiovascular health programs is a change in economic conditions. In times of recession, when governmental funds are tight, the approval of solutions that would improve cardiovascular health may be delayed or denied. This can have a significant impact on the population at large, as heart disease is still the number one killer in the United States (Shi & Stevens, 2021). An improved economy may lead to a resumption of support for initiatives to improve cardiovascular health. Similarly, it is also important that individuals take steps to protect their own hearts through diet and exercise, even in difficult times. It is no secret that when the economy is in a downturn, government funding for social welfare and health programs tends to be cut. This can have a ripple effect on many areas of people’s lives, including their health.

One such program that has come under fire in recent years is the cardiovascular health program. This program is designed to help people with heart disease and other conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. The program has been shown to be highly effective in reducing hospital admissions and improving patients’ quality of life (Shi & Stevens, 2021). However, due to budget constraints, some states are now considering cutting or even eliminating this program altogether. Such cuts would be short-sighted and could have far-reaching consequences on the overall health of the population.

It is not a secret that high taxes are a major drag on the economy. But what people may not know is that they can also have a negative impact on their health. According to Shi & Stevens (2021), increasing taxes by $1 per pack of cigarettes could lead to an extra 14,000 heart attacks 26,000 cases of coronary heart disease. The authors also reported 10,000 Stroke cases, 4,500 Lung disease cases, 6,700 Diabetes cases, 3000 Emphysema ailments each year. This is because when people are forced to pay more for cigarettes, they are often less able to afford healthy foods and exercise programs. The solution is that policymakers need to do more to encourage healthy living by making it affordable for everyone. And until they do, it is up to cigarette smokers to individually reduce their cigarette consumption. This increment in tax and reported cases are represented in the below pie chart.

$1 Tax Increment per pack of cigarettes
Number of heart attacks yearly Cases of coronary heart disease yearly Stroke cases Lung disease cases Diabetes cases Emphysema ailments
14000 26000 10,000 4,500 6,700 3000

Effects of Ciggarrete

Three Most Influential Social Issues

One program as a solution is the Fire Department’s campaign to create a defensible space program around homes in fire-prone areas. The idea behind the defensible space program is to reduce the amount of fuel close to a home the fire can consume, making it easier for firefighters to protect a home from burning. Income, education, and housing condition are the three most influential social issues that can impact the solution of having a defensible space program in dealing with fire issues (Coughlin, 2019). There is a clear correlation between income and success in dealing with fires.

Communities with higher incomes are able to invest more in their defensible space programs, and as a result, they experience fewer losses from fire. There are several reasons for this; first, communities with higher incomes can afford to invest in more sophisticated firefighting equipment and technology. They can also afford to hire more firefighters and create more elaborate fire-prevention plans. And finally, they can afford to rebuild their communities after a fire has destroyed them (Coughlin, 2019). All of these factors contribute to the overall success of a defensible space program in fighting fires and protecting lives and property.

Education is a critical factor in the success of any defensible space program. People need to be educated about the dangers of fire, and they need to be taught how to create and maintain a defensible space around their homes. Without proper education, many people will not take the necessary steps to protect their homes from fire (Coughlin, 2019). Firefighters also need education in order to understand the dangers of fire and how best to deal with them. In order for firefighters to be effective in fighting fires, they should know what types of houses are most vulnerable to fire and what kind of vegetation is most likely to start a fire. They also need to understand the principles of defensible space and how best to apply them.

There is a clear link between housing conditions and the success of defensible space programs in dealing with fire. In neighborhoods where homes are in poor condition, the defensible space program is much less likely to be successful in preventing fires from spreading. This is because when homes are in bad shape, they cannot be used as a barrier to fire. Moreover, there will be an increased risk of debris building up around the home and providing fuel for a fire (Shi & Stevens, 2021). It is important for municipalities to work with homeowners to ensure that their homes are properly maintained so that the defensible space program can be effective in preventing fires from spreading. By ensuring that all residents have access to safe and healthy housing, cities can help reduce the overall risk of fire.

In conclusion, political, economic and social issues greatly affect programs’ implementation success to greater levels. Political issues affecting program success include public involvement in decision making; including the public makes them feel respected and considered and cooperate. Similarly, support from the political leaders also plays a bigger role in programs; when leaders publicize given programs, many people get to know them. Some of the political leaders also support such programs financially, thus making them a success. A cardiovascular health program’s acceptance might be hampered by issues related to employment, economic conditions, and taxation. High taxation, unemployment, and poor economic condition prevent people from attaining healthy meals that can assist them in following cardiovascular health programs. Poor housing conditions, lack of education, and little income can impede the success of a defensible space program.

References

Baker, D. L., Miller, A. A., & Bratton, T. (2015). E’s are good: Standards of quality in public administration as reflected in discourse on Canadian public policy design. Teaching Public Administration, 33(2), 130-151. Web.

Coughlin, S. S. (2019). Social determinants of breast cancer risk, stage, and survival. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 177(3), 537-548. Web.

Elliott, D. S., Buckley, P. R., Gottfredson, D. C., Hawkins, J. D., & Tolan, P. H. (2020). Evidence‐based juvenile justice programs and practices: A critical review. Criminology & Public Policy, 19(4), 1305–1328. Web.

Irvin, R. A., & Stansbury, J. (2004). Citizen participation in decision making: Is it worth the effort? Public Administration Review, 64(1), 55-65. Web.

Shi, L., & Stevens, G. D. (2021). Vulnerable populations in the United States. John Wiley & Sons.

Troumbis, A. Y., Kalabokidis, K., & Palaiologou, P. (2021). Diverging rationalities between forest fire management services and the general public after the 21st-century mega-fires in Greece. Journal of Forestry Research, 1-12. Web.

Wan, C., Shen, G., & Choi, S. (2017). A review on political factors influencing public support for urban environmental policy. Environmental Science & Policy, 75, 70-80. Web.