Reflections on global policy documents and the WHO's infant feeding guidelines: lessons learnt

This study shows how one of the fundamental methods of designing and implementing the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP), was applied in the period of 2014–2020 and how, taking accrued experience into account, it has been adjusted in the new planning cycle in Hungarian practice. Based on Hungarian strategies and other policy documents, international and Hungarian literature, the study shows that although the involvement of relevant actors in strategic planning and prioritising was achieved in both cycles, the nature of the actors’ participation differed fundamentally in the two periods. We found that learning from the experience of planning the S3 for 2014–2020, the design of the 2021–2027 strategy required improving the focus of priorities, validating priorities and creating an institutional system capable of making EDP continuous during the cycle 2021–2027, in line with the European Commission’s expectations. We concluded that a well-functioning EDP methodology is an essential part of the substantive realisation of an S3 that can be dynamically shaped according to the challenges.

Download Full-text

Programming effect of breast-feeding in infant nutrition policy documents in Hungary

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2011.29220 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 152 (41) ◽

pp. 1641-1647

Author(s):

Viktória Jakobik ◽

Elena Martin-Bautista ◽

Heather Gage ◽

Julia Von Rosen-Von Hoewel ◽

Kirsi Laitinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Infant Nutrition ◽

European Countries ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Nutritional Programming ◽

Positive Effects

Aims: To identify and describe infant feeding policy documents in Hungary and compare them to the documents of other four European countries (England, Finland, Germany and Spain). The question was also addressed how the phenomenon of nutritional programming was represented in the documents. Subjects: Policy documents on infant feeding were identified and analyzed in the five European countries by using uniform methods for searching and coding. Results: Twenty-six documents were identified: 4 in England, 2 in Finland, 9 in Germany, 6 in Hungary and 5 in Spain. Altogether 203 statements linked to references were identified: benefits of breast-feeding in general (24%), protection against infections (32%), long-term advantages like the prevention of diabetes (31%) or allergy (12%). Considerable variations were found within and between countries in the evaluation of the duration and character of the positive effects. The majority of the statements in the Hungarian documents referred either to the role of breast-feeding in infection protection (n = 8), or to long-term protective effects (n = 13). Conclusion: Policy documents in the study countries varied both in their extent and in the description of the long-term effects of infant nutrition. Majority of the documents failed to contain evidence based discussion of the phenomenon of early nutritional programming. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1641–1647.

Download Full-text

Reviewing challenges and gaps in European and global dementia policy

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-02-2018-0012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 157-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Toni Wright ◽

Stephen O’Connor

Keyword(s):

Research Training ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Middle Income ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Content Type ◽

Global Policy ◽

Care And Support ◽

Care Models ◽

Data Extraction Tool ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to scope out European and global policy documents focused on dementia with the purpose of providing a synthesis of the challenges the phenomenon poses and the gaps evident. Design/methodology/approach An adapted PESTEL framework as a data extraction tool resulted in an analysis of the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, organisational, educational and research aspects of dementia policy. Findings Policy documents showed variability of dementia strategy, plan and programme development. All documents recognised rapidly growing ageing populations, and increasing numbers of people living with dementia. Dementia as a public health priority is inconsistent in growth. Global policy documents stress the impact of dementia will be felt most by low- and middle-income countries. Main themes were: a need to raise awareness of dementia and action to reduce stigma around it, the need for early diagnosis and preventative person-centred approaches with integrated care, fiscal investment, further research, training and education for workforces, increased involvement of and support for people living with dementia and care and support close to home. Practical implications By identifying current dementia challenges and policy gap implications this analysis urges engagement with broader frames of reference as potential for enabling bolder and radically better dementia care models. Originality/value This paper offers a review of present global and European dementia policy, outlining the potential implications for the most marginalised in society if it fails to be critical of its own underpinning assumptions.

Download Full-text

Lifetime health outcomes of breast-feeding: a comparison of the policy documents of five European countries

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010001850 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1653-1662 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Elena Martin-Bautista ◽

Heather Gage ◽

Julia von Rosen-von Hoewel ◽

Viktoria Jakobik ◽

Kirsi Laitinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Infant Feeding ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Formula Feeding ◽

European Countries ◽

Formula Milk ◽

Long Term Conditions ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

Geographically Dispersed

AbstractObjectiveTo (i) identify and describe prevailing infant feeding policy documents in five diverse European countries; (ii) analyse types of health outcomes for the infant that are associated with feeding breast milk rather than formula milk in the documents of different countries; and (iii) assess the extent to which documents reflect the WHO global recommendation of exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months.DesignDocumentary review and analysis.SettingFive geographically dispersed countries of Europe (England, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Spain).SubjectsPolicy documents on infant feeding were identified; statements that linked choice between breast- and formula-feeding to a health outcome for the infant were extracted.ResultsTwenty-six documents (varied authorships, dates, length and character) were identified: four from England; two from Finland; nine from Germany; six from Hungary; and five from Spain. There was no consistency in the way in which health outcomes were cited as factors in the recommendations for breast- rather than formula-feeding. Seven documents contained no reference to the health implications of infant feeding choice. Of 203 statements in remaining documents citing health outcomes, 24·1 % mentioned general health effects, 32·5 % protection against infections, 31·5 % long-term conditions (e.g. diabetes, CVD) and 11·8 % mentioned allergy. Health outcomes were linked to exclusive breast-feeding in only 25 % of statements.ConclusionsPolicy documents in the study countries varied in the extent to which they reflect the health outcomes for the baby of breast-feeding, and this may limit effective promotion by health professionals. There is scope to improve the process of bringing evidence and recommendations into policy documents.

Download Full-text

Assessment of health equity consideration in masking/PPE policies to contain COVID-19 using PROGRESS-plus framework: a systematic review

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11688-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anindit Chhibber ◽

Aditi Kharat ◽

Dylan Kneale ◽

Vivian Welch ◽

Mukdarut Bangpan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Health Inequity ◽

Place Of Residence ◽

Personal Protection Equipment ◽

Policy Documents ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Global Policy ◽

Equity Consideration ◽

Race Ethnicity

Abstract Introduction There is increasing evidence that COVID-19 has unmasked the true magnitude of health inequity worldwide. Policies and guidance for containing the infection and reducing the COVID-19 related deaths have proven to be effective, however the extent to which health inequity factors were considered in these policies is rather unknown. The aim of this study is to measure the extent to which COVID-19 related policies reflect equity considerations by focusing on the global policy landscape around wearing masks and personal protection equipment (PPE). Methods A systematic search for published documents on COVID-19 and masks/PPE was conducted across six databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, ASSIA and Psycinfo. Reviews, policy documents, briefs related to COVID-19 and masks/PPE were included in the review. To assess the extent of incorporation of equity in the policy documents, a guidance framework known as ‘PROGRESS-Plus’: Place of residence, Race/ethnicity, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, Social capital, Plus (age, disability etc.) was utilized. Results This review included 212 policy documents. Out of 212 policy documents, 190 policy documents (89.62%) included at least one PROGRESS-plus component. Most of the policy documents (n = 163, 85.79%) focused on “occupation” component of the PROGRESS-plus followed by personal characteristics associated with discrimination (n = 4;2.11%), place of residence (n = 2;1.05%) and education (n = 1;0.53%). Subgroup analysis revealed that most of the policy documents (n = 176, 83.01%) were focused on “workers” such as healthcare workers, mortuary workers, school workers, transportation workers, essential workers etc. Of the remaining policy documents, most were targeted towards whole population (n = 30; 14.15%). Contrary to “worker focused” policy documents, most of the ‘whole population focused’ policy documents didn’t have a PROGRESS-plus equity component rendering them equity limiting for the society. Conclusion Our review highlights even if policies considered health inequity during the design/implementation, this consideration was often one dimensional in nature. In addition, population wide policies should be carefully designed and implemented after identifying relevant equity related barriers in order to produce better outcomes for the whole society.

Download Full-text

Environmental education and education for sustainable development: Conceptual solutions and dilemmas

Nastava i vaspitanje ◽

10.5937/nasvas2101007o ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 7-23

Author(s):

Violeta Orlović-Lovren

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Environmental Education ◽

Education For Sustainable Development ◽

Clear Distinction ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Global Policy ◽

Similarities And Differences ◽

The Ideal ◽

Number Of Authors

The focus on education for sustainable development in global policy and literature opens up a range of different views on its relationship with environmental education. While a number of authors make a clear distinction between the two concepts, others believe that education for sustainable development (ESD) has actually displaced environmental education (EE). Different perceptions of these two concepts have implications for their integration into education at all levels. This paper offers a comparative analysis of trends and directions in defining these concepts both in global policy documents and in the literature in this field, with the aim of offering another perspective on their relationship and on the possibility of implementation in practice. The overview of the similarities and differences in their coneptualization has prompted a reconsideration of the dilemmas regarding the need for the existence of both concepts and the possibility of integrating them into education, which should play a key role in the achievement of the ideal of sustainability

Download Full-text