Research Paper on Securing Financing for Proposed Health Program: Justifying Health Problem

Introduction

Funding is a critical aspect and an engine of health programs. This is because, without funding, the inputs and activities needed to run the program will not be obtained. One of the strategies that can be used to secure financing for the proposed health program is to justify the existence of the health problem (Merrill, 2017). Funding will be obtained from potential funders only if the health problem is adequately explained. Therefore, in my proposed program, I intend to justify the existence of the problem using data and statistics from credible government sources and agencies. For example, 2019 estimates show that the percentage of children aged between 10 and 17 years with obesity or overweight is 34.3% (United Health Foundation, 2020).

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The prevalence of childhood obesity in the State of Alabama is higher than the national estimate of 31.0% (United Health Foundation, 2020). The State of Alabama has also been reported to have the highest prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States by researchers and governmental organizations (e.g., (RWJF, 2018; The State of Childhood Obesity, 2020). Using these statistics, I hope to convince potential funders that there is a need to address the health issue urgently.

Another strategy that will be used to obtain funding is the justification of the need to address the health problem (Dagkas & Burrows, 2016; Daniels, 2016). To reverse the growing trend of this health issue, I will highlight the health complications that are associated with this health issue. Childhood obesity has been reported to predict type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood (Sommer & Twig, 2018). Because of this, the proposed program will seek funding to educate parents and teachers on the recommended level of physical exercise in children to reverse the increasing rates of childhood obesity in the State of Alabama.

Potential Funders

One of the possible funders of the proposed physical exercise program aimed at decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity in the State of Alabama is the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). I intend to explain to the ADPH why the health issue needs to be addressed and why the funding will help in reducing the rates of childhood obesity. The second potential funder is BBVA Compass Foundation Grants (Rural Health Information Hub, 2020). The BBVA Compass Foundation Grants provides funding related to education, community development, and health and human services (Rural Health Information Hub, 2020).

Potential Barriers to Receiving Funding

There are potential barriers that can prevent the program from obtaining the funding needed to address the health issue. One of the obstacles when seeking grant funding is the failure to show the funders the potential impact of the financing to donors (Rural Health Information Hub, 2019). In this case, funders will not be persuaded or convinced that the program is worth funding. Another hindrance to obtaining grants is a poorly written research grant proposal. A research grant proposal is comprised of many components that should be adequately addressed and made manifest by those seeking funds. Specifically, there are six parts of a grant proposal. The first part comprises information regarding the organization, such as its background, what it does, and key program partners (Library Strategies, 2017). Failure to give in-depth details about the organization leads to secure funding.

The second part is known as the need or situation (Library Strategies, 2017). In this phase, individuals tasked with writing the grant proposal need to justify that the health issue exists. In a case where there is no adequate rationale for the program, there is an increased likelihood of rejection of the proposal. Third, there is a need to provide practical solutions or activities aimed at addressing the identified health issue. This is accomplished through the identification of the personnel, timeline, and goals. Fourth, there should be a clearly outlined ways of measuring and evaluating the impact of the program. Through measurement and evaluation, the program manager justifies the difference the money has made (Library Strategies, 2017). Other components of the grant proposal include budget and budget narrative and attachments (Library Strategies, 2017). All these sections of the proposal should be adequately described to justify the need for funding.

Strategies for Addressing Potential Funding Barriers

To address the barrier associated with the failure to explain to funders the benefits linked to funding, I will seek to provide an in-depth explanation of the impact of the program. Specifically, I will explain how the money obtained will help to recruit critical stakeholders of the program (parents, teachers, and community health workers), educate parents and teachers on appropriate physical exercise in children, and implement physical exercise intervention. Moreover, I will discuss how the activities will lead to desirable outcomes such as decreased weight. Lastly, I will explain how the funding will lead to an overall decrease in the prevalence of childhood obesity. Second, to address the funding barrier associated with poorly written research grant proposals, I will seek the help of grant-writing specialists.

References

Rural Health Information Hub. (2019). Applying for grants to support rural health projects introduction-Rural health information hub. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/grantwriting

United Health Foundation. (2020). Trend: Overweight or Obesity-Youth, Alabama, United States. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/youth_overweight/state/AL

Dagkas, S., & Burrows, L. (2016). Families, young people, physical activity and health: Critical perspectives. Routledge.

Daniels, N. (2016). Resource allocation and priority setting. In D. H. Barrett, L. W. Ortmann, A. Dawson, C. Saenz, A. Reis, & G. Bolan (Eds.), Public Health Ethics: Cases Spanning the Globe. Springer. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435786/

Library Strategies. (2017). 6 components of a grant proposal. http://librarystrategiesconsulting.org/2017/04/6-components-of-a-grant-proposal/

Merrill. (2017). Introduction to epidemiology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Rural Health Information Hub. (2020). Funding details: Bbva compass foundation grants - rural health information hub. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3260

RWJF. (2018). The state of obesity 2015: Better policies for a healthier america. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2015/09/State-of-Obesity-Report-2015.html

Sommer, A., & Twig, G. (2018). The impact of childhood and adolescent obesity on cardiovascular risk in adulthood: A systematic review. Current Diabetes Reports, 18(10), 91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-018-1062-9

The State of Childhood Obesity. (2020). The state of childhood obesity-Helping all children grow up healthy. https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/