Instructions:
Part 1
Listen to the following podcast
http://www.radiolab.org/story/251887-what-if-no-destiny/
First, write about what you think about the program that the mother in the podcast came up with. Address the criticisms that her program amounts to eugenics. What are your initial impressions about who is affected, where this problem is occurring, and the size and scope of the problem of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).
Part 2
Using the Articles posted in the paper materials folder online, write a research paper about neonatal abstinence syndrome. Use the following format to address the stated topics in your review of the literature: demographics of the mothers, location and scope of the problem (within the US), and the cost and who is paying for this problem. The layout should be similar to this:
Introduction
Demographics of Mothers of Babies with NAS
-race, age, and socioeconomic status, etc.
Location of NAS incidence
-states, rural versus urban, east vs west, etc.
Cost and Payor of NAS
-cost of caring for the babies, are the mothers insured, private vs public insurance (Medicaid), which states don’t have Medicaid, how is that affecting the problem, etc.
Conclusion
While addressing these topics, pat special attention to the tables which will help you gather the necessary information as well as reading the articles thoroughly. They generally overlap in similar timeframes so in general you can take them together as a representation of the issue between about 1998 and 2016.
Part 3
Adjust your original first impressions regarding the problem with NAS. Are there any preconceived ideas you may have had about race or age or any other characteristic that was changed when seeing the actual data? Were you surprised by any of the information there?
Since the affected mothers and babies are disproportionately poor who are affected by this problem, what responsibility does anyone have to attempt to intervene in this problem? How could Medicaid be used more effectively to address this problem?
Given that you have all that you have learned in the class, and the article filled with facts about the crisis, what stood out more in your mind, the factual information or the emotional anecdotes in the podcasts? How important is having the facts and data in regards to the whole picture? Have any of your political views or other beliefs changed regarding related topics after considering the nuances involved?
Format
Do not simply answer the questions above, these are for guidance on what to write about. It should be in essay format and APA style which means you will need to use in text citations.
Overall, your paper should follow this format:
Title Page
Part 1- Reaction to Podcast = 200 words
Part 2- Introduction = 800 words
Demographics of Mothers of Babies with NAS
Location of NAS incidence
Cost and Payor of NAS
Conclusion
Part 3- Summary of Experience = 20 words
References
Total = 1200 words, use them wisely in each section by being concise and purposeful with your writing
