Postcard

You should review the USA Postcard slide presentation in the Postcard Module, which gives you clear instructions on what to include in your postcard and how to find the information. Your assignment must be submitted as a PowerPoint presentation. You can also review student postcard examples. The country you have been assigned is listed in Postcard Country Assignment.

You should provide, at a minimum, content for each of the 13 topics below in your presentation. (Refer to the Rubric on Canvas for the point value for each topic). Each of the following topics should have their own slide(s) and labeled the same as the criteria title in the rubric.

Postcards from the Edge Rubric (1)

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Geographic Location Geographical location of the country and defining geographic characteristics (this is to be brief in order to orient the audience and to introduce geographical characteristics that are relevant to the country’s social service landscape, such as its bordering countries, natural resources, etc.).

5 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome 2 Interesting & Lesser-Known Facts General media portrayals of the country, per Western sources, and 2 interesting lesser-known facts about the country that you discover

2 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 2 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Demographic Characteristics Demographic characteristics (e.g., population, life expectancy, languages, education, household income, ethnic groups)

10 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 10

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Industry & Economic Characteristics Major industries and economic characteristics (e.g., GDP, labor make-up, foreign investment, foreign debt)

7 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 7 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Government & Political Characteristics Political characteristics (e.g., form of government and its structure; relevant historical context)

10 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 10

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Social Characteristics, Cultural Aspects of the Country, and Human Development Index Ranking Social Characteristics, Cultural Aspects of the Country, and Human Development Index Ranking

7 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 7 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Health Care Systems Health Care System—type of health care system; include strengths and weaknesses of system

10 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 10

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Ranking in WHO List of Health Care Systems Ranking in WHO list of Health Care Systems

2 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 2 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Mental Health Systems Mental Health Systems—type of mental health care system; include strengths and weaknesses of system

10 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 10

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Major Social & Economic Problems Major social and economic problems of the country

8 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 8 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Methods Used to Support Specific Problems What methods have been used in countries to support (choose at least 3 of the following and examine in-depth): a) Hunger; b) Poverty; c) Healthcare (e.g., AIDS, Diarrhea, Tuberculosis, Malaria); d) Disaster Relief; e) Child Needs (e.g., street children, child soldiers, etc.); f) Violence against Women; g) Aging h) COVID-19

12 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 12

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Creative Element to the Presentation A creative element was used in the presentation (which can be posters, artwork, costumes, food from the country, music, etc.)

15 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 15

pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome References References/sources were provided.

2 ptsFull Marks 0 ptsNo Marks 2 pts

Total Points: 100

United States of America

Monday, May 26, 14

Monday, May 26, 14

Interesting Facts • The United States is the second fattest country in

the world with 31.8% of the population being obese.

• The United States has no official language. • “Old Glory” flag: the 50 stars represent the 50

states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct

• The first person to become president who was born in a hospital was Jimmy Carter.

Monday, May 26, 14

Major Industries/Economics • Economy • Largest and most technologically powerful

economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of approximately $48,100.

• Market-oriented economy where private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace.

• Industries: petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.

• Agricultural products: wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products

Monday, May 26, 14

Form of Government • Constitution-based federal republic;

strong democratic tradition • Legal system: common law system

based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law except Louisiana, which is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts

• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal • Three branches: executive, legislative,

judicial Monday, May 26, 14

Health Care System • Ranked 50th in the world for life

expectancy at birth: men 76.05 years; women 81.05 years

• Ranked 3rd in the world for government expenditures on health care at approximately 16% of GDP

• Health Reform: http://kff.org/health-reform/video/

youtoons-obamacare-video/

Monday, May 26, 14

WHO Ranking/Human Development Index (HDI)

• WHO Ranking: 37 – Health – Responsiveness (speed of service, protection of

privacy, and quality of amenities) – Fair financial contribution

• HDI Ranking: 3 (behind Norway and Australia) – Health – Education

• Mean years of schooling • Expected years of schooling

– Living standards • Gross national income per capita

Monday, May 26, 14

Mental Health System • Mental illness impacts the lives of at least one in four adults and one

in 10 children—or 60 million American – The most serious conditions affect 10.6 million people. Mental

illness is the greatest cause of disability in the nation, and twice as many Americans live with schizophrenia than with HIV/AIDS.

• Our national mental health care system is in crisis. – The budget cuts are coming at a time when mental health

services are even more urgently needed. • Various measures needed to improve mental health services

– Increase public funding for mental health care services – Improve data collection, outcomes measurement, and

accountability – Integrate mental and physical health care – Promote recovery and respect – Increase services for people with serious mental illnesses who are

most at risk Monday, May 26, 14

Social and Economic Problems

• Poverty • Official U.S. poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1% (highest since 1993) and for Palm Beach

County it is 14.3%, Broward 14.7%, Miami-Dade 20.3% • Nearly 48 million Americans receive food stamps • Federal Poverty Level Guidelines: $11,490 for one; $23,550 for four

• Unemployment • U.S. rate was 7.6% for May 2013; FL rate was 7.2%

• Immigration • Immigrants represent 12% of U.S. population • 10.8 million living in U.S. illegally • Increased border patrol, state profiling laws, employer responsibility

• Child Welfare • Responsibility of the states • In U.S. in 2006, 763,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect • In U.S. in 2009, 424,000 children living in foster care; 57,000 children adopted

• Violence • In U. S. in 2000, suicide 11th leading cause of death, homicide 14th leading cause of death

• Drug trafficking • US is the world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and

the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; We are a major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality

Monday, May 26, 14

Battling the Issues • Hunger – 48.8 million Americans lived in food

insecure households in 2010 – 5.6 million households accessed

emergency food from food pantry • Food stamps, food donations, free and

reduced school meal programs • Poverty – Programs for the poor include Medicaid,

Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for

Monday, May 26, 14

Battling the Issues • Leading causes of death worldwide –Respiratory infections –HIV/AIDS –Diarrheal diseases –Tuberculosis –Malaria

Monday, May 26, 14

Battling the Issues • HIV/AIDS – In the U.S. 1.2 million living with HIV/AIDS (9th

world ranking) – In the U.S. 17,000 deaths (18th world ranking) – Federal and state programs to fund Rx and

testing • Diarrhea – Approx. 54,000 U.S. children hospitalized for

diarrhea per year but less than 40 die with rotavirus (complication is dehydration)

– Rotavirus vaccine in past 3 years has been very

Monday, May 26, 14

Battling the Issues • Tuberculosis – 1/3 of the world population is infected

with TB – In 2010, nearly 9 million people around

the world became sick with TB and 1.5 million died

– In the U.S. TB was once the leading cause of death

– Total of 11,182 cases in 2010 in U.S.; 547 deaths in 2009

– Treatment is 6-12 month drug therapy— Monday, May 26, 14

Battling the Issues • Malaria – 3.3 billion people in the world live in an area at

risk of malaria transmission (mosquito) – 35 countries account for 98% of global malaria

deaths – Second leading cause of death from infectious

disease in Africa, after HIV/AIDS – 216 million cases in 2010 in the world; 655,000

deaths (91% in Africa) – In the U.S., 1500 cases each year; majority are

travelers and immigrants – Bed nets are the cheapest and most effective

prevention method Monday, May 26, 14

Creative Element

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UInIYi167dA

Monday, May 26, 14