Theme
This study ‘connects the dots’ between the rhetoric of ‘building healthy public policy’ with the feasibility of policy making processes. It proposes a shift from ‘traditional’ thinking to a more innovative way to understand healthy public policy decision making of local governments in Queensland. Why? The aim of the research findings is to further understand decision making in enabling local health policy.
Sub-theme
Build Healthy Public Policy
What was the aim of your project or research?
The research study findings aimed to:
· Inform the current health policy investments amongst local government in Queensland
· Explore the feasibility of Queensland local governments adopting a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach by identifying factors that enable or challenge the current policy environment
· Utilise political science as a theoretical lens to inform this process
Challenges of issue or topic of concerns
Addressing determinants of health using a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach is recognised as good practice internationally in the field of health promotion. The practice of building healthy public policy in a complex policy environment is not well known or understood.
What did you do?
An online survey was distributed to elected and non-elected members of Local Governments in Queensland, with 219 responses, mostly Councillors and Mayors (56%).
What were the outcomes?
The survey data outlines different definitions and understanding of health and wellbeing amongst decision makers in Queensland local governments, differing organisational and personal priorities towards health and wellbeing investments, current investments in health and wellbeing across policy areas and relationships with community, media, research, stakeholders and other senior levels of government in making health policy decisions. This preliminary data demonstrates alignment to political science theory as a benefit to practitioners and researchers in understanding the policy environment.
Why does it matter?
Understanding the current context of policy decisions helps practitioners and researchers to clearly articulate the enablers and challenges to local governments integrating health into local policy.