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Social Policy Analysis

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Social Policy Analysis

Introduction

The WIC program has been one of the most effective and successful program implemented at the state level. It provides numerous benefits and services to the destitute and poor population. The Policy has been very effective in creating awareness about the nutritional fact and requirements, especially for a children and pregnant women. I have chosen this policy for the purpose of analysis because of its high popularity and success. This social policy and WIC program is analyzed on the basis of the success rate and effectiveness. The committee has done a tremendous job in creating awareness of the health and nutritional issues. WIC has designed several food packages for people at different stages of life. These packages were modified a number of times. The improvement after each modification is analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the changes. Moreover, the research studies in which participants of WIC are compared with non-participants are also discussed to analyze the impact of WIC.

WIC is designed as an adjunct to good health care during periods of critical development and growth. They provide the applicants and participants, health care and social services, such as: Immunization Program, Nutrition Assistance Program, Medical Assistance Program-Card Reform Health Services Administration, Mental Health and Addiction-ASSMCA, Head Start and Early Head start in the local areas.

Social Problem

Pregnancy, infancy and early years are periods of physiological growth and rapid development. Poor nutrition during these critical periods for growth and development involves risks of emotional and cognitive health issues among infants and children. In the U.S., the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which aims to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women and children is probably the most important program in all times. WIC provides dietary supplements and referrals for health services to low income women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, infants and children aged one to five years who are at nutritional risk (Lewis, 72).

Recent studies in Peru have showed that iron deficiency not only affects the infant's birth weight and maternal immune status but increases the risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth. Around 35% to 75% of the pregnant women in the world experience anemia in pregnancy. In U.S.A., the average rate is 55%. This deficiency also affects 43% of non-pregnant women in developing countries, smaller numbers as 12% in developed countries and 30% in Latin America.

Probabilities are low during the first trimester of pregnancy, but from the second quarter there is a significant increase in maternal blood volume. The main change occurs in the iron metabolism pregnancy, including the stoppage of menstruation, increased red cell mass and deposition of large amounts of iron in the fetus and placenta. This results in a significant increase in requirements (Leonard, 52).

The need for iron is increased until the end of pregnancy, although increased blood mass is up to the tenth week of pregnancy. During the third quarter, iron accumulates in the placenta and increases the deposits in the fetus. It is considered that ...