Introduction and Problem Statement (1 page max)
Is there a clearly stated environmental public health problem? What is the magnitude? Who is affected? How long has the problem been recognized? Is the problem local, regional or global? Where is this report going? Am I enticed to read on? This should be no more than one to one and ½ pages.
Background (2 pages)
Is the background fully developed? Does the reader get a fully developed understanding of the topic and policy implication? What EH/IH/PH policies that are linked to this problem? What is the level of the policy, implementation, funding, effectiveness etc.? Are multiple perspectives / explanations about the causes, effects, barriers, interactions, and ramifications identified and discussed? Why haven’t the solutions abated the problem? How many references were used? Have credible sources been used?
Alternative Solutions (1 page)
Are the alternative solutions, strategies and policies explored, evaluated, and discussed? What barriers exist to implementation? What facilitators exist? Are there case studies demonstrating success or failure? What does the data show? Is there a strong track record for success or failure with some approaches?
Group Recommendations (1 page)
Does the group identify the “best” solution and/or policy? Are recommendations defensible? Are they feasible? Is there a cost benefit balance? Are their lingering questions? Have you addressed barriers to implementation? Does more need to be known on the topic before the “best” solution and/or policy can be identified? Does a new policy need to be created or an existing modified?
Conclusions
Is there evidence of critical thinking and depth in the evaluation of the EH/PH problem, policy and alternative solutions? Is there coherence in the report? Are the recommendations for the best solution(s), revised, or new policy well defended? Is there a discussion of criteria used to select the best solutions? Is the paper in one voice, one style, reflective, and graduate level work? Are there unanswered issues relating to the topic that need further study, are they presented?
Sample Solution