A causal pathway is the first step in organizing an intervention to address a public health issue. Think of a public health issue you want to address through a behavioral intervention. Throughout this course, we will work to address the public health issue within a specific population. Take a look back at Week 2 and review your discussion feedback as well as the "assignment preparation" module. The public health issue you select will be the same topic you address throughout the assignments this term.
A causal pathway is the outline to identifying the determinants of health of your selected public health issue. Use what you have learned from your studies material to "map" a path FROM the Structural Determinants of Health (SDOH) to a health outcome THROUGH the intermediary determinants of health for the public health issue you have selected.
The SDOH Framework is outlined on page 25 of your textbook. Construct a “flowchart” (an example is provided below) and a narrative describing the pathway of your flowchart. It is highly encouraged to use PowerPoint to construct your map and use the “Notes” portion below to write the narrative describing the pathway. Please be aware that your ‘notes’ will not be visible in the ‘preview’ of the assignment during the submission process. The instructor will download the PPT file and view the notes on the download.
Your pathway should include at least one complete path from a structural determinant to the health outcome (i.e., there should not be any “gaps” in the connections between the mediating constructs in your illustration or narrative) and the points marked on your map for potential interventions.
Mark the “points of potential public health interventions” on your pathway with a star. You should have at least two points of intervention (one will be used as potential interventions to develop on later assignments). Provide a narrative (in the notes section under the slide) identifying and discussing each of the constructs in your model along with potential interventions that could be utilized to change the points you identified.
Points will be deducted for lack of correspondence between the structural determinants, the intermediary determinants and the health behavior and outcome, and for unprofessional presentation of your exercise (i.e., poor organization in your writing, misspelling, etc.). You do not need to cite literature or provide references in this exercise.
It may be helpful to review the Causal Pathway Example [PPTX] before beginning work on your assignment.
Create a pathway from the structural determinants to the selected health outcome.
Make sure the pathway clearly flows through the structural and intermediary determinants. Please note the structural determinants begin with a policy, governance, etc. as outlined in the SDOH Framework in your book on page 25.
Identify two points of intervention on the causal pathway.
Why are the points of intervention you identified relevant?
How do these points of intervention have the potential to have positive impacts?
Describe the connection between the constructs of the causal pathway and the health outcome(s).
Are the connections clear and easy to follow for someone else?
Are the constructs clearly explained?
Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.