Economic Analysis of 'Know Her, Know Him' Health Campaign - Research Paper

Introduction

In this section of the paper, an economic analysis of the selected initiative, "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is carried out. By taking up this approach, it will be possible to whether this enterprise is necessary. In addition to this, it can be easy to evaluate its economic dynamics so that its components can be ascertained hence validating its creation and use. All the same, the sections that follow this opening paragraph highlight the various approaches that are helping to economically analyze "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign."

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Principles of Economics

Trade-Offs

Principles of economics, on end, can be used as a means through which the public health can be evaluated as necessary. With this particular principle, it follows that the decision to undertake this initiative will involve forgoing another. In other terms, HIV/AIDS is a health complication that has affected many individuals (Hendriks et al., 2018). Therefore, there have been various undertakings that have sought to eradicate the illness as well as mitigate its adverse effects. However, the decision to follow the program being proposed by the paper will, therefore, employ the use of the concept of tradeoffs (Safarnejad, Pavlova, Son, Phuong, & Groot, 2017). Thus, there will be many factors that will be considered, but at the end of the day, this, decision has to be made, and others are compromised with the aid of this economic concept.

Opportunity Cost

The funds that are to be allocated for this public health program will require that another program is not funded. Opportunity cost is an economic principle that requires decisions to be made with the knowledge that other undertakings are foregone (Kharsany & Karim, 2016). Therefore, the usefulness of this economic principle is that it requires the best option to be pursued. In the healthcare sector, many options are always being developed which look to bolster the health and well-being of the various age groups. In this given case, however, "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is the best option and using opportunity cost as a factor of reference it can be showcased that this venture is more beneficial (Chimbindi et al., 2015). For example, one of the areas that can be used to show this option is viable is because it prioritizes those who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and therefore helps them to lead healthier and longer lives.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

With this economic concept, there is the consideration of means through which the most success is attained. In that case, the approach that is mostly pursued is that which yields the most success. For patients with HIV/AIDS, the aim is to ensure that their lives are longer and they get to be healthier. Also, to the above, other benefits come with pursuing this approach, which makes it the best option to continue (Irwin, Jozaghi, Bluthenthal, & Kral, 2017). For instance, there is the stigma that is associated with the illness. By incorporating this public health initiative, the stigma can be alleviated (Wang, Guo, Zheng, & Lu, 2019). At the same time, some misconceptions exist, and these misconceptions are addressed with the program. Thus, the benefits are more with this approach, making "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" cost-effective.

Macroeconomic Program

"Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is a microeconomic program on the basis that it seeks to enhance the well-being of a selected group of people. One of the determining factors for this assertion is that the objectives of the program aim to affect and improve the welfare of a group of people. Those that are positively affected ware those that are living with HIV/AIDS (Choi et al., 2016). Thus, unlike macroeconomics, microeconomics focuses on a smaller target area that is the target group. Those being targeted are a small group of people whose lives are to be better in terms of better health conditions (Colchero et al., 2016). On a different note, the cost implications of the program also help in categorizing it as a microeconomic undertaking. That is the case since there is the use of limited resources in terms of funds. Had the program been employed on the national scale, then the situation would have been very different (Kripke, Perales, Lija, Fimbo, Mlanga, Mahler, & Semini, 2016). All the same, these two dynamic s help to categorize "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" as a microeconomic program.

The Goodness of the Public Health Initiative

Once the program is in effect, different outcomes are anticipated. These outcomes are such that they help to categorize the program as having much good to the public as opposed to the private sector. Since that is the case, it only follows that the probable after-effects will positively impact the society (Rebchook et al., 2017). One of these aftermaths is that there will be reduced stigma that is associated with HIV/AIDS. People, for example, will learn that the condition is manageable, and therefore, there is no need for others to be treated as outcasts (Pharr et al., 2016). Such an outcome is public good as it is a form of enhanced awareness. With better knowledge, it is possible and more comfortable to manage the condition quickly and prevent its prevalence. Thus, in a way, one of the primary objectives of this enterprise, "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is met. The goal was to reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence, and this makes it possible.

Another public good that comes with the program is that there is improved well-being of the selected group. Once there have been propositions in terms of necessary steps to improve their health, they will be quickly undertaken, and this will bolster their immunity (Simon et al., 2016). For example, one of the mainly advocated strategies that will be encompassed within the program is the use of exercise as a regime for staying fit. Fitness is necessary for general well-being, and it is advocated that people who have been diagnosed with the illness need to ensure that their bodies are in the best condition and exercising helps to make this possible (Cyril, Polonsky, Green, Agho, & Renzaho, 2017). As a way of doing good to the society, it is always encouraged that people should exercise and the families that have HIV/AIDS patients who are using, they are more likely to be invited to engage in the extensive and intensive exercise process so that there is improved overall health.

The third example of the outcomes, as enacting public good as opposed to enhanced private results is awareness that is enhanced in that more people are taught about the ways that they avoid contracting HIV. As much as it is usually assumed that people know these approaches, the fact is that this is an assumption and it does not help in preventing any new cases (Chandler et al., 2015). The best way to look at is that awareness ensures people are more aware of their conditions and also willing to ensure that they prevent any new cases from developing. As a public good, it protects those who are not infected and also provides the infected do not expose their already weak immune systems to more threats (Fisher et al., 2016). Both the private sector of the population as well as the public benefit from "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign." Hence, it should be undertaken because of these anticipated outcomes.

Financing Source

Funding for "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is going to from federal aids. There is federal assistance dubbed federal assistance, which is aimed at improving the health of the surrounding communities. For the case of this enterprise, the community that is to be positively affected is the group of individuals with AIDs (Himmelstein & Woolhandler, 2016). Therefore, the initiative "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" qualifies for the federal funds that are to be provided by the United States federal government. Federal assistance is a concept that has been effective for many years. The move to incorporate it came following the need for organizations and programs to be allocated resources for sustainable outcomes (Hyland et al., 2017). It is the role of federal government agencies to ensure that the required funds are administered and provided. For the case of this program, it is the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. "Know Her, Know Him Health Communication Campaign" is categorized as a special program meaning that there are very high chances that the required resources (in terms of funds) are delivered (McElfish, Hallgren, & Yamada, 2015). Thus, there will be the available resources necessary to benefit the program.

Effects

Demands, as well as supply of services in the public health, are going to be affected once the program has been incorporated. The need for antiretroviral therapy (ART) mostly the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs is likely to reduce. Reduced demand is the case since there are very few new cases that will be reported. In other terms, there is the protection of people from contracting HIV/AIDS, and the number of users of antiretroviral therapy (ART) will reduce by a significant margin (Fogel et al., 2016). On a different note, the supply for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs will also remain standard. Since there will be limited cases that will be reported and recorded, it will follow that supply will stay standard and then reduce over time. As it stands, there is no known cure for the illness, meaning that those who are living with the condition will require continuing receiving treatment (Gunthard et al., 2016). All in all, demand and supply are affected in that the public health services (in the form of antiretroviral therapy (ART) mostly the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs) will be low.

References

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Cyril, S., Polonsky, M., Green, J., Agho, K., & Renzaho, A. (2017). The readiness of communities to engage with childhood obesity prevention initiatives in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia. Australian Health Review, 41(3), 297-307.

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