Select an article on a controversial public policy issue from a major publication such as the new York Times, the Washington Post, or another periodical or newspaper. We'll talk more about selecting good sources soon, but I recommend using a national publication that is recognized for its journalistic integrity (avoid, for example, politically-motivated sources, cable news, your uncle's Facebook feedback) Ask these questions of the author of the article, being careful to provide “in text” evidence to support your analysis:
Does the author place the issue in a broad context? How?
Does the author suffer from tunnel vision?
Does the author discount or ignore other perspectives on the issue?
Does the author propose a creative solution to the issue?
Does the author address the issue comprehensively?
How might an interdisciplinary approach improve the author’s treatment of the issue?
Full Answer Section
The author does not suffer from tunnel vision. She acknowledges that the maternal mortality crisis is a complex issue with many contributing factors. She also discusses the perspectives of different stakeholders, including doctors, nurses, policymakers, and advocates.
The author does not discount or ignore other perspectives on the issue. She acknowledges that there is no easy solution to the maternal mortality crisis, but she does propose some creative solutions, such as investing in community health centers and expanding access to doulas.
The author does address the issue comprehensively. She discusses the issue from a variety of angles, including the historical, medical, and policy perspectives. She also provides data and statistics to support her arguments.
An interdisciplinary approach could improve the author's treatment of the issue by providing a more holistic understanding of the problem. For example, an interdisciplinary approach could consider the role of social determinants of health, such as poverty and racism, in contributing to the maternal mortality crisis.
Here are some specific examples from the article that support my analysis:
- In the first paragraph, the author states that "the United States is the only wealthy country where the maternal mortality rate is rising." This statement places the issue in a broad context by comparing the United States to other developed countries.
- In the second paragraph, the author states that "Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women." This statement acknowledges that the maternal mortality crisis is disproportionately affecting Black women.
- In the third paragraph, the author discusses the history of racism in the United States and its impact on maternal health. She states that "the legacy of slavery and segregation has left Black women with worse health outcomes than white women." This statement provides context for the current maternal mortality crisis.
- In the fourth paragraph, the author discusses the role of structural racism in contributing to the maternal mortality crisis. She states that "structural racism creates barriers to accessing quality health care, such as transportation and child care." This statement provides another layer of context for the issue.
- In the fifth paragraph, the author discusses the perspectives of different stakeholders on the issue. She states that "doctors, nurses, policymakers, and advocates all agree that the maternal mortality crisis is a serious problem." This statement shows that there is a consensus on the issue.
- In the sixth paragraph, the author proposes some creative solutions to the maternal mortality crisis. She states that "we need to invest in community health centers and expand access to doulas." These are two specific proposals that could help to address the issue.
- In the seventh paragraph, the author acknowledges that there is no easy solution to the maternal mortality crisis. She states that "it will take a long-term commitment to addressing the underlying causes of the problem." This statement shows that the author is realistic about the challenges involved in solving the issue.
Overall, I believe that the author does a good job of addressing the maternal mortality crisis in a comprehensive and interdisciplinary way. She provides a balanced and nuanced discussion of the issue, and she proposes some creative solutions that could help to address the problem.
Sample Answer
Title: America’s Maternal Mortality Crisis Is a Black Problem
Author: Sabrina Tavernise
Publication: The New York Times
Date: March 8, 2023
The article discusses the maternal mortality crisis in the United States, which is disproportionately affecting Black women. The author, Sabrina Tavernise, places the issue in a broad context by discussing the history of racism in the United States and its impact on maternal health. She also discusses the role of structural racism in contributing to the maternal mortality crisis.