Introduction to Health Policy Making

B.R.Shamanna
0930 – 1030 hours, 07/12/2020; PU-402/HC – 105 – Semester 1
Class 6- [meet.google.com/dfr-qvjy-wkq]
 Health Policy
• Health policy can be defined as the "decisions, plans,
and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific
goals within a society".[1]

• According to the WHO, an explicit health policy can

achieve several things:
• it defines a vision for the future;
• it outlines priorities;
• the expected roles of different groups;
• it builds consensus and informs people.[1]
 Introduction to Health Policy

• Health policy is the frame work on which decisions for improvement of health status of
people are made.

• Inclusive approach reflects the inter-sectoral linkages;

• Explicit nature gives scope for expert vetting;

• “The purpose of policy document is explicit statement of a commitment by the

government and such a policy document should be ethically justifiable,
epidemiologically sound, socially or culturally acceptable and economically rational”.
 Introduction to Health Policy

• Depends on basic scientific disciplines like epidemiology, sociology or economics;

• Public policy is defined as a course of method of action selected usually by

Government from among alternatives to guide and determine present and future
decisions;

• Health policy is a subset of public policy;

• “People oriented nature or pro-people nature or societal perspective”.

 Introduction to Health Policy

• Policy Development Cycle:

• Setting the environment for the health policy;

• Methodological considerations – needs assessment, gaps analysis, prioritization & modelling,

scenario analysis, impact analysis/evaluation.

• Strategic, outcome focussed, joined up, inclusive, flexible and innovative and robust nature of
the policy;

• Evidence Based Health Policy Analysis – evidence synthesis, appraisal and

integration.
 Public Health Policy
• Health policy embraces courses of action that affect
the set of institutions, organizations, services, and
funding arrangements of the health care system.

• It goes beyond health services, however, and includes

actions or intended actions by Public, private and
voluntary organizations that have an impact on health.
Public Policy Cycle
Public Policy Cycle
Public Policy Cycle
Policy – 6 P’s
 Public Health Policy Process
Process refers to the way in which policies are
• Initiated,
• Developed or formulated,
• Negotiated,
• Communicated,
• Implemented
• Evaluated.
Health Policy Components
Policy Triangle
Policy Triangle
 Contextual factors affecting Policy
Situational factors
Structural factors
• National Wealth
• Political system
• Type of economy and the employment base
• Demographic features
• Technological advances
Cultural Factors
• Religious and ethnic groups
International Factors
Contextual factors affecting Policy
Policy Development Framework
Policy Development Summary
Social Policy & Health
PU-402/HC – 105 – Semester 1

[meet.google.com/dfr-qvjy-wkq]