scholarly journals Analysis of the Local Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policies on the French Riviera

Author(s):  
Antoine Noël Racine ◽  
Jean-Marie Garbarino ◽  
Bernard Massiera ◽  
Anne Vuillemin

Policy is a lever for initiating the structural and environmental changes that foster health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) promotion. However, little is known about the evidence in support of local governments regarding their HEPA-promoting policies. The aim of this study was to collect comprehensive information on municipal HEPA policies on the French Riviera (Alpes-Maritimes and Var counties) to provide an overview of the development of these policies in this territory. Mid-sized cities from the two counties constituting the French Riviera were targeted (n = 17). In each city, a local tool for HEPA policy analysis, CAPLA-Santé, was used to gain information from key informants heading the departments of sports, health services, and social services. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Ten mid-sized cities volunteered to participate. Key informants from the sports (n = 10), health services (n = 5), and social services (n = 6) departments were interviewed. Written HEPA policy documents were formalized in six cities. These documents (n = 14) were mainly from the sports (n = 8) and health services (n = 4) sectors. The key informants reported that support from national policy, the commitment of elected officials, and large local stakeholder networks facilitated HEPA promotion, whereas the lack of intersectoral collaboration and limited resources were limitations. The results provide insight into the development of municipal HEPA policies, highlighting some of the barriers, facilitators, and perspectives. These findings could be valuable to scale up HEPA promotion at the local level.

Author(s):  
Antoine Noël Racine ◽  
Jean-Marie Garbarino ◽  
Bernard Massiera ◽  
Anne Vuillemin

Policy is a lever for initiating the structural and environmental changes that foster health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) promotion. However, little is known about the evidence in support of local governments regarding their HEPA-promoting policies. This study collected comprehensive information on municipal HEPA policies on the French Riviera to gain an overview of HEPA policy development in this territory. Mid-sized cities from the two counties constituting the French Riviera were targeted (n = 17). In each city, a local tool for HEPA policy analysis, CAPLA-Santé, was used to gain information from key informants heading the departments of sports, health services and social services. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Ten mid-sized cities volunteered to participate. Key informants from the sports (n = 10), health services (n = 5) and social services (n = 6) departments were interviewed. Written HEPA policy documents were formalized in six cities. These documents (n = 14) were mainly from the sports (n = 8) and health services (n = 4) sectors. The key informants reported that support from that national policy, the commitment of elected officials, and large local stakeholder networks facilitated HEPA promotion, whereas the lack of intersectoral collaboration and limited resources were limitations. The results provide insight into the development of municipal HEPA policies, highlighting some of the barriers, facilitators and perspectives. These findings could be valuable to scale up HEPA promotion at the local level.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A N Racine ◽  
J M Garbarino ◽  
B Massiera ◽  
A Vuillemin

Abstract Background Policy is one of the levers to initiate structural and environmental changes to foster health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) promotion. However, little is known about local evidence to support governments in their policies to promote HEPA. This study aims to analyze the local HEPA policies development in French mid-size cities. Methods Mid-size cities from 2 counties of the French South Region were targeted (n = 17). In each city, a local HEPA policy analysis tool, CAPLA-Santé, was administered to key informants heading the departments of sport, health and social. CAPLA-Santé is a local policy analysis tool adapted from the national HEPA policy analysis tool (HEPA PAT version 2) developed by the World Health Organization. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documents analysis. Results A total of 10 mid-size cities were volunteered to participate. Key informants from sport (n = 10), health (n = 5) and social (n = 6) departments were interviewed. Several written HEPA policies were formalized in 6 cities, 4 of them based their policies on scientific evidences or a national policy. These policies (n = 14), were mainly from the sport (n = 8) and the health sectors (n = 4). Some cities had a department head to ensure cross-sectoral collaboration (n = 3). Key informants reported that the support of national policies, the commitment of elected officials and an important local stakeholders' network could facilitate the HEPA promotion; whereas lack of intersectoral collaboration and resources could be a limitation. Conclusions The results help to better understand the local HEPA policies, highlighting some barriers, facilitators and perspectives. These findings could be valuable to scale up the HEPA promotion at the local level. Key messages Local policymakers had difficulties to adopt an intersectoral and global approaches in HEPA promotion. Using local HEPA policy analysis tool can provide evidence to support policymakers.


2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992091646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Noël Racine ◽  
Aurélie Van Hoye ◽  
Amandine Baron ◽  
Flore Lecomte ◽  
Jean-Marie Garbarino ◽  
...  

The promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) has become a key objective in public health policy. Therefore, based on the national HEPA Policy Audit Tool Version 2 (HEPA PAT v2) of the World Health Organization, a tool was designed to support local governments in assessing HEPA policies. This study aims to describe the adaptation and testing of the HEPA policy analysis tool (CAPLA-Santé) at the local level in France. The work was conducted in three stages: (1) an intersectoral group of experts was constituted, and the group adapted each item of the HEPA PAT v2 tool to the local level; (2) a testing phase with seven local governments helped to collect data and feedback on the tool; and (3) a final workshop was organized to adjust and finalize the tool. The final version of CAPLA-Santé contains 21 items divided into six major sections: overview of HEPA stakeholders in the local government area, policy documents, policy contents, funding and political engagement, studies and measures relating to physical activity in the local government area, and progress achieved and future challenges. CAPLA-Santé allows the collection and in-depth analysis of local level policies to assess the progress in promoting HEPA and intersectoral collaboration as well as identifying successful policy levers and remaining challenges.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Sequeira ◽  
G Quinaz Romana ◽  
A Campos Fernandes ◽  
M Pinho ◽  
E Freire Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Abstract Problem Different countries have incorporated models of decentralization in their health reforms to achieve efficiency, by increasing the training of local governments, responsibility and gains in areas such as quality, costs and equity. In Portugal, the 21st government program established the autonomy of local authorities and the democratic decentralization of public administration. Accordingly, a decentralization law was approved and local governments have now a crucial role on health policies. Description of the Problem For this framework, a situational diagnosis and an intersectoral approach to policies are needed. This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study developed at council level in two Portuguese municipalities. This study aims to: Adjust responses to health needs at the local level; Set priorities by taking into account installed capacity and responses to populations; Promote the articulation between entities; Strengthen the focus on health promotion and healthy lifestyles; Strengthen health interventions in educational communities; Promote the creation of programs at local level, in conjunction with the national level, to reduce inequalities. Results The preliminary results in health, social and economic indicators show that this framework, while taking in consideration population characteristics, allows the development of local strategies regarding health services coverage, health services type and medication. At council level, the preliminary results also show a lack of data on healthy lifestyles and social indicators. Lessons The implementation of a decentralization process involves a broad range of requirements such as a situational diagnosis, strategies development and a periodic update of quality life and health indicators. Those are needed to assess council level priorities, which allow the development of public policies and interventions, in line with population characteristics, to tackle health inequalities and inequities. Key messages Performance improvement of health system is linked to the implementation of local citizen centred policies. These are actions which promote quality of life through health-friendly ecosystems. The local health intervention has contributed to promote inequalities reduction, increasing equity and dynamize new frameworks of organization with individual and community participation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 100-112
Author(s):  
Zenoviy Siryk

The issues related to the management of financial resources of territorial communities, financial independence of local governments and forming of efficient financial-investment policy to secure the balanced development of local communities and territories become of utmost importance in conditions of financial decentralization and administrative-territorial reform in Ukraine. The problem issues concerning the forming of financial-investment maintenance of local governance directly impact the capacity of a territorial community that should have financial, material, and other resources in the volumes sufficient to completely accomplish the tasks and function of local governments and provide social services to the population at the level stipulated by national standards. The forming of financial-investment maintenance of local governance is revealed to be directly influencing the capacity of a territorial community that should have financial, material, and other resources in the volumes sufficient to completely accomplish the tasks and function of local governments and provide social services to the population. The expansion of local governments’ competences and granting them greater independence are substantiated to be requiring more responsibility in the financial-investment policy implementation on the local level, forming of conditions to perform the economic activity, and develop businesses by all economic entities, and promoting favorable investment climate in the region. Based on the analysis of approaches to the definition of the nature of “financial maintenance” and “investment maintenance” in the context of the peculiarities of local governments’ activity, the paper suggests understanding the “financial-investment maintenance of local governance” as a set of opportunities and activities on distribution and use of financial resources and territories’ resources for the creation of conditions necessary for the efficient functioning of local governments and realization of their competences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Anthony Alindogan ◽  
Eli Ristevski ◽  
Anske Robinson

The aim of this study is to explore local health and wellbeing plans and priorities by Victorian local governments (LGs), specifically to: (1) analyse how LG priority areas are described in comparison to the State-level plan; (2) identify differences between regional and metropolitan health priorities; and (3) identify differences between LGs with high and low socioeconomic status. Content analysis of 79 LG health and wellbeing plans was undertaken. Differences in health and wellbeing priorities between LGs were examined using the t-test for two proportions. In total, 20% of the plans did not specify actions to address health priorities. One in three (34%) did not specify how evaluation will be done. Alcohol and other drugs, gambling and housing were prioritised more by metropolitan LGs, whereas disease prevention was prioritised more in regional LGs. There was no significant difference in health and wellbeing priorities of LGs with high and low socioeconomic status except for gambling. State-level health and wellbeing plans should be sensitive to differences in priorities of LGs. There is a need for local plans to commit to specific actions and evaluation. This analysis provides basis for more community-reflective, State-level planning and calls for more emphasis on identifying actions and evaluation in local level planning.


2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (2b) ◽  
pp. 725-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seppo Miilunpalo

AbstractPhysical activity appears to improve health-related quality of life by enhancing psychological well being and by improving physical functioning, particularly in persons compromised by poor health. Health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) can in addition to, and instead of, structured and planned exercise and sports comprise other forms of physical activity, such as occupational activities, lifestyle activities and recreational activities. However, wide-range and long-term population strategies are needed for the promotion of physical activity in each of the categories of HEPA. It is necessary to create realistic opportunities for different population groups and individuals. The theoretical knowledge of the determinants of the target behaviour has to be translated to a practical form. On the basis of available empirical studies, the Predisposing, Enabling and Reinforcing factors in the PRECEDE –PROCEED model for health promotion, are all relevant and important for the adoption and maintenance of physical activity. In the end, promotional activities are needed where people live and work, i.e. at local level.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Aderonke Majekodunmi

Local government creates an appropriate and conduciveenvironment for the people at the local level through efficient and effective service delivery. The value of localgovernment in a country is inestimable because it is an indispensable arm of government. As a result, the link between the qualities of service that citizens enjoy is very significant. The article examines local government and effective service delivery with special reference to Nigerianlocal governments. It notes that Local government is the closest government<br />to the people at the grassroots level,so it is expected to play significant  roles in providing the social services for the people in order to improve their standard of living. But in Nigeria, the impact of local government is so far limited, especially with regard to improving service delivery. The article observes that  despite the strategic importance of local government to the development process through effective service delivery, there has not been much development in most local governments in Nigeria. The article recommends that  local governments in Nigeria need adequate autonomy that can facilitate their operations and development of the localities through effective service delivery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Noël Racine ◽  
J M Garbarino ◽  
K Corrion ◽  
F d’Arripe-Longueville ◽  
B Massiera ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Policy is one of the levers to initiate structural change to foster the promotion of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA). To this end, policymakers have to deal with complex ecosystems embedded in specific contexts. However, limited research has been published on this topic at the local level. The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers and levers to develop HEPA policies from the point of view of municipals managers and elected officials in mid-size French cities. Methods This study was conducted following the concept mapping approach: a list of statements was submitted to 17 French mid-size cities. These statements completed the beginning of this sentence: “In a mid-size municipality context, to develop HEPA policies, it is necessary to...”. First, key informants in each city rated the importance of each statement without considering their local context according to a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all important) to 6 (extremely important). Then, they had to rate the feasibility of each statement considering their local context according to a Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all feasible) to 6 (extremely feasible). Results A total of 23 municipal managers and 10 elected officials from sport (n = 14), health (n = 10), and social (n = 9) sectors from 11 French mid-size cities participated in this study. Statements related to political commitment, shared governance and partnership appeared as potential levers to develop HEPA policies. Statements related to the economic model of the local HEPA promotion, mandate of the mayor, and land use planning appeared as potential barriers to develop HEPA policies. The results varied according to the position and the sector of the respondent. Conclusions The results suggest that some local contextual factors could affect the development of HEPA policies in mid-size French cities. This study contributes to a better understanding of the development of local HEPA policies in the French context. Key messages Local contextual factors should be considered when developing health-enhancing physical activity policies. The perceptions of these local contextual factors varied according to the position and the sector of the respondent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Fosse ◽  
Nigel Sherriff ◽  
Marit Helgesen

The gradient in health inequalities reflects a relationship between health and social circumstance demonstrating that health worsens as you move down the socioeconomic scale. Norway’s Public Health Act (PHA) specifically aims to tackle the gradient by addressing the social determinants of health. In this article, we draw on data from 2 studies that investigated how municipalities in Norway deal with these challenges. In doing so, we apply theoretical perspectives, as defined in the Gradient Evaluation Framework (GEF), to analyze the implementation of the PHA at the municipality level. The article aims to describe and analyze how local governments follow the requirements of the act. In doing so, we address the following research questions: Which policies are implemented at the local level to reduce social inequalities in health among families and children? How is intersectoral collaboration carried out, and who is taking part in the collaboration? The article draws on both quantitative survey data from questionnaires sent to all Norwegian municipalities and qualitative interview data in 6 municipalities. The findings show that there is raised awareness of the significance of social determinants among an increased number of municipalities, indicating that the PHA is being implemented according to its objectives.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document