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Health & Social Policy

The “Wicked” Problem

An Excerpt from Building Effective Collaborative Governance in Juvenile Justice: A Framework for Success in Social Policy Reform By Rylee Pluta and Tracy Johnson In 1973, theorists Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber revolutionized public management through the introduction and analysis of a new term, “wicked” problem, that highlights the complexities of public policy problems. According […]

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Health & Social Policy

A Golden Opportunity

By Afnaan Qayyum A hundred companies in the UK recently announced four-day workweeks without pay cuts. Meanwhile, there is an emerging debate in the U.S. over labor rights and workplace wellness. “Better late than never,” they said about the world’s richest economy.  The business motivation for introducing employee wellness programs lies in increased productivity, reduced […]

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Health & Social Policy

Popping the Pill: Why Birth Control Should Be Available Over-the-Counter

By Shelby Frye In 2020, the birth control pill celebrated the 60th anniversary of its approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Six decades after this stamp of  approval, the pill remains one of the most popular contraceptive options in the United States. There are two types of birth control pills- the combined oral contraceptive […]

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Health & Social Policy Politics and Governance

Biden Can and Should Enact Medicare for All

During the Democratic primary, Joe Biden promised to veto Medicare for All legislation — two days before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. COVID-19 has exposed the inadequacies of private health insurance. Approximately 49 percent of Americans depend on their employer for health coverage. Amid historic unemployment, 12 million Americans have […]

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Health & Social Policy

Prasad: New Opportunities to Address Health Disparities

Up to 80 percent of an individual’s health is determined by social factors. Black and Latinx individuals are up to six times more likely to die of COVID-19 and are up to seven percent more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes than their white counterparts.  The key strategy to alleviating […]

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Education Policy Health & Social Policy LBJ School Politics and Governance University of Texas at Austin

Mayor Adler Responds to Surge in Texas COVID-19 Cases

On July 14, Mayor Steve Adler joined a virtual interview with Politico on the state of affairs in Austin, given the recent surge in Texas COVID-19 cases. Adler expressed his concern for the state and Austin in particular, singling out the difficulties that the city’s healthcare system is facing and the issues The University of Texas […]

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Health & Social Policy Politics and Governance

For Families or Politics? Drug Testing for Welfare Access

In the policy arena, legislators should address the wellbeing of children and families. This is where supporters of these bills fail to employ good policy.

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Health & Social Policy

Reproductive Justice Must Include Intersex Justice

Local and national news outlets have covered endless stories on reproductive health care and policy in the past few months. For example, after Justice Brett Kavanaugh was sworn into the United States Supreme Court last October, the nation wondered what implications his conservative voice on the court would have on the future of the historic […]

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Health & Social Policy Philanthropy & Non-Profit Organizations

Cecile Richards on “Make Trouble” with Wendy Davis

On Saturday, April 7, from 3-5 pm, the Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue was filled with women of all ages, many decked out in western boots and pink attire. This gathering of festive Texan women was inspired by the presence of Cecile Richards, former Planned Parenthood CEO, daughter of Texas governor Ann Richards, and author […]

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Health & Social Policy University of Texas at Austin

An Unconventional Approach to Expanding Student Health, Wellness and Privacy

In 2007, The University of Texas at Austin made local news headlines when it made Plan B available over-the-counter at the Forty Acres Pharmacy on campus. At the time, Plan B, a popular type of emergency contraceptive, or EC, was only available directly from a pharmacist or with a prescription. The move to improve access to this […]