Formulating a Healthcare Policy, Essay Example

Public Health Policy

Persons who are legally permitted by legislation to walk around in public without any clothes on face intense scrutiny, as well as other challenges that are associated with hygiene and cleanliness in public spaces. It is important for legislators to develop regulations that will require these persons to use specific sanitation methods in public places such as restaurants, and these methods include sitting mats and antimicrobial cleaners. This legislation would be necessary to ensure that this group of people and the general public are safe from unnecessary risk or harm as a result of unsanitary conditions. This type of legislative action is unique, but it requires an acceptance of general standards of public health for persons who choose not to and who are permitted not to wear clothing in public.

 Problem Surrounding the Issue

In some parts of the United States, and in particular, Times Square in New York City, there has been an increase in public nudity as a result of the right to freedom of speech; however, this has become increasingly difficult for the general population to accept, as some believe that it is inappropriate behavior, not to mention unsanitary and unsafe (Keith, Burke, Reyna, & McShane, 2015). Other cities such as San Francisco also recognize the nature of this problem and have identified sanitation and public health concerns as of paramount importance; therefore, it is necessary to address these challenges in the context of addressing matters that will impact the general population, as well as those who participate in these behaviors on a regular basis.

Analysis of Issue

Public nudity is prohibited in many areas of the United States, but there are also areas where this is permitted under specific conditions; as a result, it has become increasingly tolerated but remains a challenging circumstance from a public health perspective (HG.org, 2015). It is important to recognize the need for public nudity to raise concerns regarding public health because it has an impact on the level of tolerance within a given community and how it impacts a given population. It is important to recognize the value of offering legislation regarding this issue, given that it is somewhat contentious in communities where decency in public is of high value. Therefore, it is necessary for legislators to consider public health concerns and to optimize their influence in order to ensure that the general public is protected from risk or harm from a hygiene perspective.

Public nudity is a unique situation that remains very uncommon throughout the United States, yet it must be addressed as a concern in areas where this act is legal and is not prohibited by local laws. In this context, it is important to address the value of legislation to protect nudists from unsanitary conditions and to also demonstrate their willingness to cooperate with the rest of the population who wear clothing in public. This is an important issue of consideration because it involves the need for common sense and decency in supporting the needs of the general public and their health at large. This perspective is also necessary because although nudists value their freedom in this regard, they must also comply with the needs and wishes of others within their communities, thereby complying with basic regulations to ensure that they receive the appropriate attention and focus from a public health perspective.

Current Status of Issue

Currently, cities such as San Francisco have enacted legislation to manage the public health concerns related to public nudity, but it is important to address these challenges with respect to public decency in order to ensure that the general public is protected as much as possible. This is an important step to take and requires lawmakers to develop strategies and legislation to be effective in addressing this matter in a public forum and in consideration of all parties that are involved in this manner. Public health is a critical issue and requires the development of new perspectives to ensure that the proper protections are in place to benefit all parties.

Level of Government Involvement

Public nudity is typically governed by states and local communities and is not generally addressed at the federal level. Lawmakers in San Francisco introduced legislation in 2011 to address this issue and which would require nudists to cover up when in a public place such as a restaurant and to sit on a mat or other item when out in public so that their bottom areas are covered (Gordon, 2011). This is an important issue to be considered, particularly in an area such as San Francisco, where there is a more liberal belief system, yet sanitation and public health concerns go above and beyond even the most liberal minds. From this perspective, it is important for legislators to recognize the value of regulations regarding public nudity as a means of promoting unity among the population regarding this issue that involves the general population. This type of legislation is appropriate because it enables the general population who are fully clothed to experience a greater sense of comfort within public surroundings and provides them with the basic principles of common decency in public settings (The Bulletin, 2011). For those who do not comply with covering their seat while in public, a $100 fine would be assessed for the first offense and a $200 fine for the second offense (The Bulletin, 2011). This regulation is important, yet it is not too restrictive with respect to the rights of nudists to bear all in public as they wish. Nonetheless, this is a public health issue that requires further attention and consideration from legislative bodies to improve the comfort level of public nudity and to ensure that steps are being taken to protect the general public from unnecessary risk or harm in this regard.

References

The Bulletin (2011). Legislation may restrict nudists’ rights to bare all in San Francisco. Retrieved from http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/1605317-151/legislation-may-restrict-nudists-right-to-bare-all

Gordon, R. (2011). Dear nudists: please cover up, the seat at least. SF Gate, retrieved from http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Dear-nudists-Please-cover-up-the-seat-at-least-2310817.php

HP.org (2015). Nudity and public decency laws in America. Retrieved from http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=31193

Keith, R., Burke, K., Reyna, R., & McShane, L. (2015). Painted, near-naked ladies on the prowl for cash in exchange for pictures in Times Square angering tourists. New York Daily News, retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/tourists-annoyed-painted-naked-ladies-times-square-article-1.2327227