scholarly journals Towards Health in All Policies for Childhood Obesity Prevention

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Hendriks ◽  
Stef P. J. Kremers ◽  
Jessica S. Gubbels ◽  
Hein Raat ◽  
Nanne K. de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Health In All Policies ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Health Goals

The childhood obesity epidemic can be best tackled by means of an integrated approach, which is enabled by integrated public health policies, orHealth in All Policies. Integrated policies are developed through intersectoral collaboration between local government policy makers from health and nonhealth sectors. Suchintersectoral collaborationhas been proved to be difficult. In this study, we investigated which resources influence intersectoral collaboration. Thebehavior change wheelframework was used to categorize motivation-, capability-, and opportunity-related resources for intersectoral collaboration. In-depth interviews were held with eight officials representing 10 non-health policy sectors within a local government. Results showed that health and non-health policy sectors did not share policy goals, which decreased motivation for intersectoral collaboration. Awareness of the linkage between health and nonhealth policy sectors was limited, and management was not involved in creating such awareness, which reduced the capability for intersectoral collaboration. Insufficient organizational resources and structures reduced opportunities for intersectoral collaboration. To stimulate intersectoral collaboration to prevent childhood obesity, we recommend that public health professionals should reframe health goals in the terminology of nonhealth policy sectors, that municipal department managers should increase awareness of public health in non-health policy sectors, and that flatter organizational structures should be established.

scholarly journals Interventions to Promote an Integrated Approach to Public Health Problems: An Application to Childhood Obesity

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Hendriks ◽  
Jessica S. Gubbels ◽  
Nanne K. De Vries ◽  
Jaap C. Seidell ◽  
Stef P. J. Kremers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Experts stress the need to bring the childhood obesity epidemic under control by means of an integrated approach. The implementation of such an approach requires the development of integrated enabling policies on public health by local governments. A prerequisite for developing such integrated public health policies is intersectoral collaboration. Since the development of integrated policies is still in its early stages, this study aimed to answer the following research question: “What interventions can promote intersectoral collaboration and the development of integrated health policies for the prevention of childhood obesity?” Data were collected through a literature search and observations of and interviews with stakeholders. Based on a theoretical framework, we categorized potential interventions that could optimize an integrated approach regarding children's physical activity and diet. The intervention categories included education, persuasion, incentivization, coercion, training, restriction, environmental restructuring, modeling, and enablement.

Litigation as Public Health Policy: Theory or Reality?

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Jacobson ◽  
Soheil Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Class Action ◽  
Policy Theory ◽  
Health Goals

An ongoing debate among legal scholars and public health advocates is the role of litigation in shaping public policy. For the most part, the debate has been waged at a conceptual level, with opponents and proponents arguing within fairly well-defined boundaries. The debate has been based either on speculation of what litigation could achieve or on ideological grounds as to why litigation should or should not be used this way. With the exception of Rosenberg's study of how litigation shaped policy in civil rights, abortion, and environmental matters, there is almost no empirical support for either position.In recent years, the most ardent proponents of litigation as public policy have been public health advocates. Perhaps out of frustration with the inability to achieve desired public health goals through the legislative branch of government, public health advocates have pursued litigation as an alternative strategy. Beginning with tobacco class action litigation in the early 1990s and continuing with litigation against gun manufacturers at the end of that decade, public health advocates have waged a veritable litigation assault aimed at changing how public health policy is formed.

scholarly journals Designing a toolkit for the assessment of Health in All Policies at a national scale in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Damari ◽  
Alireza Heidari ◽  
Maryam Rahbari Bonab ◽  
Abbas Vosoogh Moghadam
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Health In All Policies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Intersectoral Cooperation ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Annual Reporting

Background: Equitable promotion of health indicators requires cooperation among different sectors more than ever. The "Health in All Policies" (HiAP) approach contributes to this process through strengthening intersectoral collaboration. To implement this approach at a national scale, indicators of health-oriented performance from various organizations, and their measurement methods, need to be precisely defined. The aim of present study was to design a toolkit for implementing HiAP in Iran. Methods: A review of literature and documents, as well as conducting semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were undertaken to collect data for this qualitative study. Content analysis was applied to the collected data and the results were placed in three categories: criteria, sub-criteria and indicators; implementation processes; and implementation requirements. Results: The toolkit aims to achieve various objectives, including intersectoral excellence and the systematic development of intersectoral collaboration. In the process section, reports on measures taken by organizations are assessed by a three-member audit committee. The top three organizations, in terms of intersectoral cooperation in achieving public health goals, are introduced in a Health Week. Requirements for success in achieving the HiAP approach include financial resources to implement the HiAP, a database, an electronic method for submitting reports, training courses, monitoring and annual reporting of relevant indicators, and formulating regulations in order to assess organizations. Conclusion: Justification and training in various organizations to support the implementation of health-oriented measures, providing an annual ranking of organizations, and encouraging the organizations can contribute to the institutionalization of the toolkit through the SupremeCouncil for Health and Food Security. It is recommended that a Secretariat of sustainable development to be established under the Plan and Budget Organization (PBO) of the Islamic republic of Iran to monitor portfolio indicators.

scholarly journals Workshop: Everything you always wanted to know about EU health policy but were afraid to ask

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
European Union ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health In All Policies ◽  
Border Regions ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Objective The EU is often criticized for being ‘market-driven’ and practicing a form of ‘cold integration’. Any attempt, however, to strengthen solidarity and social integration in the EU is met by stakeholders in the member states with reservation and often outright refusal, arguing that health systems are national competence subject to the subsidiary principle. This conundrum of asking for more but allowing for less has blocked a scientifically informed public debate about the EU and health policy. The overall objective of this workshop is to discuss how health research can contribute to resolve this conundrum making the EU more conducive to the needs of health systems, public health (PH) and Health in All Policies (HiAP). To this end we will review the following 4 specific topics What are is EU-health policy and what other policies are affecting health and health systems?What tells us the projected Brexit-impact on the UK health system and PH about the value of EU health policy?Are EU-trade policies shaping healthier commercial determinants of health?What is the added value of cross-border care at and beyond border regions? This workshop is based on the update of the seminal volume “Everything you always wanted to know about European Union health policies but were afraid to ask” (2019, 2nd edition). Key note Scott Greer: In health and health systems the European Union is ubiquitous. Health systems in Europe are hard to figure without the cross border mobility of health professions. Patients going cross-borders. We have a European Medicines Agency that is regulating key aspects of the pharmaceutical market. Health systems have become part of the economic governance of the EU. In PH we have the ECDC, a PH programme and policies on health related consumer protection and may mechanism that should protect European citizens from scourges that know no borders. With health in all policies, the EU legislates literally on all known agents and, when in doubt, is using the pre-cautionary principle to protect citizens from health hazards. All this is supported by a large EU research programme. Panellist 1 N Fahy, the projected impact of Brexit on health system functions of the United Kingdom demonstrates how deep the integration goes and how beneficial it is for both health systems and public health. Panellist 2 H Jarman: The discussion around the Transatlantic Trade an Investment Partnership (TTIP) have risen worries about privatization of health services and lowering of food standards. But TTIP is only the tip of the Iceberg given that the EU has several types of trade agreements with many countries and groups of countries, shaping the commercial determinants of health. Panellist 3 W Palm: Cross-border collaboration is already taking place in many border regions. The European reference networks demonstrate the value of the cross-border collaboration beyond border regions, as does collaboration for joint purchasing and health workforce development. Key messages Health is important at the EU level and the EU level is important for health. Not shaping health and health systems at EU level will limit the perspectives of EU integration, health system development public health and HiAP. Panelists Scott Greer Holly Jarman Contact: [email protected] Nick Fahy Contact: [email protected] Willy Palm Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

scholarly journals Proposing a conceptual framework for integrated local public health policy, applied to childhood obesity - the behavior change ball

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Hendriks ◽  
Maria WJ Jansen ◽  
Jessica S Gubbels ◽  
Nanne K De Vries ◽  
Theo Paulussen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Local Public Health

scholarly journals Is Aboriginal nutrition a priority for local government? A policy analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3019-3028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Helson ◽  
Ruth Walker ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Kim Rounsefell ◽  
Yudit Aron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Aboriginal Populations ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore how Australian local governments prioritise the health and well-being of Aboriginal populations and the extent to which nutrition is addressed by local government health policy.DesignIn the state of Victoria, Australia, all seventy-nine local governments’ public health policy documents were retrieved. Inclusion of Aboriginal health and nutrition in policy documents was analysed using quantitative content analysis. Representation of Aboriginal nutrition ‘problems’ and ‘solutions’ was examined using qualitative framing analysis. The socio-ecological framework was used to classify the types of Aboriginal nutrition issues and strategies within policy documents.SettingVictoria, Australia.SubjectsLocal governments’ public health policy documents (n79).ResultsA small proportion (14 %,n11) of local governments addressed Aboriginal health and well-being in terms of nutrition. Where strategies aimed at nutrition existed, they mostly focused on individual factors rather than the broader macroenvironment.ConclusionsA limited number of Victorian local governments address nutrition as a health issue for their Aboriginal populations in policy documents. Nutrition needs to be addressed as a community and social responsibility rather than merely an individual ‘behaviour’. Partnerships are required to ensure Aboriginal people lead government policy development.

scholarly journals Barriers, Facilitating Factors, and Intersectoral Collaboration for Promoting Active Mobility for Healthy Aging—A Qualitative Study within Local Government in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3807
Author(s):  
Tanja Brüchert ◽  
Paula Quentin ◽  
Sabine Baumgart ◽  
Gabriele Bolte
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Facilitating Factors ◽  
Administrative Structures

The promotion of walking and cycling to stay active and mobile offers great potential for healthy aging. Intersectoral collaboration for age-friendly urban planning is required in local government to realize this potential. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the heads of planning and public health departments in city and district administrations of a Metropolitan Region in Germany to identify factors influencing action on the cross-cutting issue of active mobility for healthy aging. Although some administrations are working on the promotion of active mobility, they consider neither the needs of older people nor health effects. A lack of human resources and expertise, mainly due to the low priority placed on the issue, are described as the main barriers for further strategic collaboration. Furthermore, the public health sector often focuses on pathogens as the cause of morbidity and mortality, reducing their acceptance of responsibility for the topic. Facilitating factors include the establishment of new administrative structures, projects with rapid results that create awareness and credibility among citizens and politicians, additional staff with expertise in health promotion, and political commitment. In the future, new administrative structures for intersectoral collaboration are needed in order to consider various perspectives in complex developments, such as healthy aging, and to benefit from synergies.

scholarly journals Financing of Immunization Programs by Local Government Units in Poland as an Element of Health Policy

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Anna Augustynowicz ◽  
Mariola Borowska ◽  
Katarzyna Lewtak ◽  
Jacek Borowicz ◽  
Michał Waszkiewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
The State ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Infectious Disease Control ◽  
Aggregate Information

Introduction: The scope and schedule of immunization in Poland is regulated by the Immunization Programme prepared and announced by the State Sanitary Inspector. There are two kinds of vaccines: compulsory vaccines, financed by the state budget at the disposal of the Minister of Health, and vaccines recommended by the central health authorities but financed by local governments within health policy programmes. Compulsory vaccines cover people up to 19 years of age and individuals at higher risk of infections. The public health programmes organized and financed by local governments play an important role in infectious disease control in the country. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse health policy programmes including immunization programmes, which were developed, implemented and financed by local government units of all levels in Poland between 2016 and 2019. Material and Methods: This analysis covers data compiled by voivodes and submitted to the Minister of Health as annual information on public health tasks carried out by local government units. From the aggregate information, data on all health policy programmes conducted by individual local government units between 2016 and 2019, including immunization, were extracted and analysed. The data were obtained pursuant to the provisions of the act on access to public information. Results: In the analysed period, local government units implemented a total of 1737 health policy programmes that financed the purchase of vaccines, qualification tests for immunization and carrying out immunization by authorized medical entities. Among the vast majority of programmes, promotional activities were also implemented. Conclusions: In Poland, local governments are deeply engaged in the immunization of their citizens by organizing and financing specific health care programmes. These programmes are an essential addition to the state financial resources in infectious disease control. This engagement expresses local government maturity regarding the health needs of the population and public health measures. Communes are the most engaged units among all levels of local governments. It is probably due to close mutual communication between the people and local governments. The growing awareness of the important role of HPV immunization in the prevention of cervical cancer among local government units is reflected in the increase in the number of girls vaccinated against HPV and the increase in financial resources allocated for primary HPV prevention. The decrease in the number of people vaccinated against pneumococci may result from including pneumococcal vaccines in the compulsory immunization schedule.

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