This assessment is designed to develop your research, critical review of evidence and writing
skills to support health advocacy in the domain of Public Health; The assignment will reflect
on policy content relevant to the population health issue and critical analysis of evidence
based research to inform your practice.
In this assignment you will select a vulnerable population group (people living with mental
illness and Substance use Disorder (SUD) comorbidity, Australian Indigenous peoples, adults
with depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & youth (15-24), specifically on the
prevalence of comorbidity or co-occurring mental health and AOD disorders or misuse as
discussed in this topic.
The report will investigate social, environmental, interpersonal and economic factors which
are known to influence the development of mental and co-occurring SUD and problems. The
report will link to current Australian policy approaches to prevention, treatment or support
for the chosen population group which address the risks or protective factors identified.
PUBH2015_Assesmnet 1_Report_T3.DocxBrief Page 2 of 8
Being able to articulate complex social health issues impacting on the treatment and
management of chronic disease and illness is an important part of your professional
development and practice in Public Health. Critical analysis of evidence based literature
develops key competencies in justifying support for vulnerable population groups in
accessing quality and timely care. This skill is often required in collaborative writing projects
such as grant applications, research proposals and evaluation.