Impact of cigarette use among US adolescents

During the first few weeks of class, you will be asked to select a topic based on the leading health indicators specified on the US Healthy People 2020 objectives. These are very broad topic areas and you will need to narrow it down as much as possible. For example, if you pick “Tobacco use” as your topic area, then you could narrow it down to specifically the impact of cigarette use among US adolescents. Requirements: You will write a 2-3 page (not including reference page) letter to a person who has a decision-making role in public health in the public, private or non-profit sector (e.g., Health Department Director, program director, State Legislator, School Health director, President of American Red Cross, etc.). The recipient of this letter must be a person that can appropriately address the topic area you chose for this assignment. This assignment is different from a research paper or essay. It is similar to a professional memo, which is a document that succinctly summarizes an important topic, issue or problem, and provides recommendations to the recipient on how to address this problem area. Very busy individuals usually read this type of letters; they must be short, clear and specific. The letter must include the following: a) Heading: As with any professional letter, the heading must specify the date, recipient, and recipient’s title/entity/address. *NOTE: The letter must be addressed to a specific person by name. b) Introductory paragraph: Introduce yourself, and why are you writing this letter to this specific recipient. c) Overview: Provide a general overview of this topic. Be sure to define any key terms. d) Relevance: Specify why this is an important problem that affects wellness. Be sure to include statistics that describe the magnitude (how big) is this problem in the US. e) Proposed Action: Select 2 specific wellness areas (i.e., emotional, spiritual, physical, mental, environmental, intellectual or social), and propose actions that this decision-making person can take to help address your topic and improve wellness in these selected areas. Be specific in your recommendations… Are you proposing creating a program or intervention, changing some laws or local policies, creating a media campaign…? How can this be accomplished? Who will be the target audience or beneficiaries? What partnerships could be created for this purpose? f) Closing: Write a closing paragraph, in which you summarize the importance of addressing this health problem, and thank the recipient for his/her consideration. g) References: While not part of the usual professional letter format, this assignment will require you to provide a minimum of 3 references to justify the arguments made within the letter. APA format is preferred, but not required. h) A rubric with details on how the letter will be graded and how to submit your letter will be posted on CANVAS. (50 points) Due: April 14, 2019 HSC 2100 Syllabus, Spring