Policy Briefs

YIP's policy briefs provide clear, nonpartisan summaries of key national issues and policies. Designed for accessibility, they distill complex topics into concise, understandable analyses, bridging the gap between intricate policy debates and a broad audience. These briefs embody our commitment to informed, unbiased discourse, crucial for fostering a well-informed public and encouraging active engagement in policy discussions.

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Briefs harmonize diverse political perspectives in policy teams of 4-6 for insightful policy solutions.

Recent Policy Briefs

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Retribution and Rehabilitation: Juvenile Justice

Criminal Justice

Naomi McKenna

This brief reexamines the topic of juvenile justice reform, examining the evolution of youth treatment under the criminal justice system.

An Analysis of the Efficacy of Value-Based Care Health Systems

Public Health Policy

Avi Agrawal

Value-based care (VBC), which pays a fixed rate per patient, deviates from healthcare’s traditional fee-for-service (FFS) model in which practitioners are paid per service (doctor visit, surgery, vaccine, etc.) they do. Given the growing prevalence of this system, this brief aims to analyze the efficacy of VBC to improve patient outcomes.

A Deep Dive into the CAFO Industry's Impact and Evolution

Agriculture Policy

Shiven Batra

This brief examines the complex debate surrounding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), which are integral to modern food production but raise significant environmental, ethical, and health concerns. It provides a historical overview of CAFOs' emergence, explores the arguments from economic and environmental stakeholders, and evaluates the consequences of insufficient regulation. The brief also highlights current policy frameworks, such as the Clean Water Act and proposed amendments, alongside potential strategies to balance economic benefits with environmental and public health protections.

Border Surveillance Technologies: Benefits, Risks, and Ethical Concerns

Immigration Policy

Emily Tsai

This brief will show the historical background and nature of digital surveillance at the United States Southern Border. With this increasing security, heavy surveillance has been highly criticized for its effects on individual(s) well-being.

The Only Way is Up: An Analysis on the Future of Vertical Farming

Agriculture Policy

Shiven Batra

Since the beginning of American civilization, agriculture practices have been a cornerstone for progress. However, as concerns about climate change, resource management, and food insecurity increase, so does society’s responsibility to innovate the agricultural industry to address these concerns. As cities develop and as the United States’ population increases, the land for agriculture becomes increasingly more scarce. There have been many attempts to resolve this problem—the most notable being vertical farming. The concept of vertical farming, dates back to the early 20th century but gained significant traction in the late 1990s with the work of Dr. Dickson Despommier, a professor at Columbia University. Despommier popularized the idea of growing food in vertically stacked layers within controlled indoor environments. Early iterations of vertical farming were driven by the increasing urbanization of the global population and the limitations of traditional agriculture in urban centers. As the world faces growing challenges related to food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability, vertical farming has emerged as a viable solution to these challenges.

Australia Social Media Ban For Kids

Technology Policy

Spencer Samet

The Australian government has proposed a full ban on social media access for individuals aged 16 and below to address concerns over mental health, online safety, and data privacy stemming from government research. The policy aims to mitigate rising rates of cyberbullying, harmful content exposure, and social media addiction among minors. Enforcement would require stricter age verification measures, potentially through government-issued identification or parental consent systems. Critics argue that the ban may infringe on digital rights, prove difficult to enforce, and push young users toward unregulated platforms. "Effective implementation requires balancing youth protection with accessibility, privacy concerns, and technological feasibility."