Public Health in Oregon - Join The Conversation

While I think that the public does support these ideas, I think there are also some underlying issues that need to be considered.  The support for the issue is not the same as the public willing to support the funding for these issues.  While on paper the public supports the issues, that majority of the public will not be willing to support the increased taxes and other funding that would be required to implement these changes.  In addition, fluoridation of drinking water occurs, yet there is a public outcry against it so in the end it eventually gets removed.  Another thing that need to be looked at is how the data was collected.  It seems like there is some bais that occured with this data.  Whil I support these opinions, Public health also need to find a way to be more responsive and work towards the public’s ideals.

Yes, there is a disconnect between public opinion and public policy because it seems that when it comes to those two topics agendas are different. Public opinion seems to be more good willed because it is simply an opinion. An opinion doesn’t go as far as to how exactly things should be put into play, but just that things should. Public policy is where it gets a little sticky because there are a lot of factors that play into it, including profit and businesses’ best interest that can compromise what really is good for the public.

I am not surprised at all that Oregonians are well aware that healthcare reform is not the only way to make a healthier nation. People know that it’s our lifestyles that create the need for healthcare (not entirely, but it many ways.) I also think that Oregon probably holds very different opinions than some other states. However, Oregonians aren’t living healthy lives either. People need to be educated on how to get a hold of and prepare healthier meals. Busy parents need ways to get their children to exercise regularly. As far as tobacco goes, I am just blown away that it is treated the way it is, not only in the US but worldwide. I think that probably all non-smokers and even some current smokers wish that tobacco was more difficult to get a hold of, and impossible to smoke in the company of those who have chosen to avoid it. I am not surprised at the poll results, I just wish that poll results like this made real changes!

It is good to see that most of the polled population sees the value of good health policy and what is necessary to keep a population in health.

But obviously there is a disconnect. We as individual can easily make the “right” choice or thought in terms of what is good for us, and what would be, in theory, good for the community. What we often don’t know about or see is all the stake holders in those decisions.

Sometimes they are valid, but most often they are stronger lobby groups intent on preserving a business or profit. What goes into health policy, very often is not the best for the population. It is always a compromise and somebody is going to be left out.

Banning smoking in public places hurt tobacco companies, and hurt bars. They are stakeholders in those policies. Is it best for the population as a whole we say tough! to these groups? sure. but it doesn’t mean it will happen that way, and so that is why policy is slow, painful and often times not what we would want to see.