There are several controversies that have plagued the public health system: mental illness, vaccinations, abortion and contraception, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and firearm injuries, just to name a few. Debates on morality and individuality have constantly afflicted public health interventions, especially when establishing laws for the community to improve health. Society has redefined the importance of fighting disease or threats to healthy living.

For the Unit I Case Study, please identify an important public health issue in your community that is controversial and under attack (Firearm Injuries). After selecting the public health problem, address the following issues.

Explain the background of the public health issue and the goal of public health officials.

Discuss the goal of public health officials and their application of the core functions of public health.

Explain the controversy (include both sides of the argument).

Identify the possible future consequences of this dilemma.

Your case study must be a minimum of two pages in length, excluding the title and reference pages. To support your ideas, use a minimum of two outside sources; one may be the textbook. Additionally, use a source that focuses on your community, such as a newspaper or journal article.

Course textbook: Schneider, M. J. (2017). Introduction to public health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.