Health Equity: 08/22/11

Monday, August 22, 2011

[EQ] Tackling health inequalities in Norway: applying linear and non-linear models in the policy-making process

Tackling health inequalities in Norway:
applying linear and non-linear models in the policy-making process

Mali Strand a & Elisabeth Fosse a

a Research Centre for Health Promotion, University of Bergen,

Bergen, Norway - 24 Jun 2011

Critical Public Health, 21:3, 373-381

“…..This article follows the Norwegian policy-making process on social inequalities in health applying models for policy development with focus on linear and non-linear movements.

The focus is process-oriented following the introduction of a comprehensive, cross-sectoral strategy to tackle socioeconomic health inequalities in Norway. A case study design was selected and two theoretical frameworks have guided the research. Whitehead's model for health inequality intervention (2007) follows a linear theory-based logic, underpinning the idea that implicit or explicit theories or formulation of a distinct problem causally predicts design and outcome of policy programmes.

The second approach is based on Kingdon's (2003) perception that policy-making often occurs unpredictably within independent streams of the policy formulation process. The model focuses on the non-linearity of the flow and timing of policy action.

The present case suggests that both linear and non-linear models are necessary for understanding of the Norwegian policy-making process on social inequalities in health. Whitehead's model is a conceptual model focussing on the linear structure of the policy process, useful for identifying the different entry points for choice of direction in policy-making. Kingdon's multiple streams model is useful for gaining insight into the agenda-setting process that may be predictable, but may also be unpredictable and steer non-linear movements.

The model identifies components necessary for a problem to rise on the political agenda with a particular focus on the role of policy entrepreneurs….”

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[EQ] Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research: Framing the Questions

Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research:
Framing the Questions

Kabir Sheikh1*, Lucy Gilson 2,3, Irene Akua Agyepong 4, Kara Hanson 3, Freddie Ssengooba 5, Sara Bennett 6

1 Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India, 2 School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, 3 Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, 4 Ghana Health Service/University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana, 5 School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, 6 Health Systems Programme, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America

PLoS Med 8(8): e1001073. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001073 - August 16, 2011

Available online at: bit.ly/pJvI6y

PLoS Medicine Series on HPSR

Following the First Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Montreux in November 2010, PLoS Medicine commissioned three articles on the state-of-the-art in Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR).

Three Policy Forum articles, authored by a diverse group of global health academics, critically examine the current challenges to the field and lay out what is needed to build capacity in HPSR and support local policy development and health systems strengthening, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Paper 1.
Kabir Sheikh and colleagues. Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research: Framing the Questions.

Paper 2.
Lucy Gilson and colleagues. Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research: Social Science Matters.

Paper 3.
Sara Bennett and colleagues. Building the Field of Health Policy and Systems Research: An Agenda for Action.

Summary Points

This is the first of a series of three papers addressing the current challenges and opportunities for the development of Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR). HPSR is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field identified by the topics and scope of questions asked rather than by methodology. The focus of discussion is HPSR in low- and middle-income countries.

Topics of research in HPSR include international, national, and local health systems and their interconnectivities, and policies made and implemented at all levels of the health system. Research questions in HPSR vary by the level of analysis (macro, meso, and micro) and intent of the question (normative/evaluative or exploratory/explanatory).

• Current heightened attention on HPSR contains significant opportunities, but also threats in the form of certain focus areas and questions being privileged over others; “disciplinary capture” of the field by the dominant health research traditions; and premature and inappropriately narrow definitions.

• We call for greater attention to fundamental, exploratory, and explanatory types of HPSR; to the significance of the field for societal and national development, necessitating HPSR capacity building in low- and middle-income countries; and for greater literacy and application of a wide spectrum of methodologies.

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[EQ] UNODC and UNHABITAT release guidelines to help prevent crime in urban areas

Introductory Handbook on Policing Urban Space

UNODC and UNHABITAT release guidelines to help prevent crime in urban areas
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME (UNODC)

United Nations Human Setlements Programe (UN-Habitat )

20 August 2011

Available online PDF [118p.] at: http://bit.ly/qjGbp3

“………..While high-income cities have succeeded in controlling crime through the use of innovative techniques, low- and middle- level income countries particularly in Africa and Central America still grapple with the challenges. Urban governments in low- and middle-income countries have increasingly sought to apply the techniques in new contexts, with growing success.

Among the best practices highlighted in the handbook are:
state officials must establish links between police and other state institutions in order to effectively incorporate security concerns into wider government efforts; city planners should contribute to discussions about security and develop relations with police; and collaboration between urban planners, civil society, government officials, police and communities is essential in combating crime.

The handbook examines a variety of crime control strategies, including community-oriented policing, problem-oriented policing, intelligence-led policing, situational crime prevention and crime prevention through environmental design. It also addresses broader principles of managing urban spaces to control crime and strategies for evaluating crime control programmes.

The handbook includes references to efforts to control crime in the following countries: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

Related to the above publication,
UNODC has also released a Handbook on Police Accountability, Oversight and Integrity

The handbook aims to assist countries in their efforts to develop effective police oversight and accountability systems within the their law enforcement structures. Tasks that involve law enforcement require a high degree of integrity within police agencies. The handbook provides guidance on how to deal with complaints from the public regarding policing activities e.g. complaints on how investigations are handled, follow-ups by police officers etc.

While the handbook emphasizes that the key players in enhancing police accountability are police officers themselves, it also describes an integrated approach that involves different actors in this system including government representatives, the parliament, the judiciary, civil society, and independent oversight bodies such as national human rights institutions.

The handbook is one of the practical tools developed by UNODC to support countries in the implementation of the rule of law and in strengthening their criminal justice systems….”

Contents

Introduction

I. Context of urban policing in low- and middle-income countries

II. Policing in urban spaces and public places: current trends and practices

III. Improving the policing of urban spaces: different police strategies in different types of urban space

IV. Effective policing in public places
V. Improving policing practice, oversight and evaluation .

VI. Review of selected good practices in Africa and Latin America

VII. Role of the police in urban planning and management for safer urban spaces
VIII. Conclusions: key lessons on policing in urban space

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[EQ] Improving HIV data comparability in migrant populations and ethnic minorities - ECDC

Migrant health series:

Improving HIV data comparability in migrant populations and ethnic minorities in EU/EEA/EFTA countries:

findings from a literature review and expert panel

ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2011

Available online PDF [90p.] at: http://bit.ly/pUGmZ3

The review was intended to:

• provide an overview of the current situation with respect to data on HIV in migrant and ethnic minority populations;

• identify gaps and methodological challenges; and

• propose ways in which data, and data comparability, might be improved in Europe.

Aimed at policymakers, programme managers, epidemiologists, researchers and others involved in migrant health,

this report is intended to inform future policy, research and practice. Section 2 provides the background to the

review, Section 3 documents the main findings, and Section 4 sets out the main conclusions and recommendations

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Background

2.1 Migrant health

2.2 Gathering data on migration, on migrant health and on HIV among migrants

3 Key findings and issues

3.1 Analysis/overview of the literature on HIV and migration

4. Conclusions and suggestions

Annex 1. Bibliography

Annex 2. Definitions from international sources

Annex 3. Data and definitions from European sources

Annex 4. Summary of HIV-related studies of migrants and ethnic minorities in Europe

Annex 5. Report on the ECDC Workshop on Migration and HIV

Annex 6. Expert consultation questionnaire

Annex 7. Indicators related to migrants used in the ‘Monitoring the Dublin Declaration’ questionnaire to countries

Annex 8. Expert ranking of migration indicators for surveillance

Annex 9. Expert recommendations on indicators for research

HIV testing and counselling in migrant populations and ethnic minorities
in EU/EEA/EFTA Member States

Available online PDF [39p.] at: http://bit.ly/nfmqt9

“….The report is based on information gathered through a systematic review of the literature on HIV testing and counselling in these populations in high-income countries; a review of international and national policies and guidelines on HIV testing and counselling; a survey of EU, EEA and EFTA Member States; and individual interviews and group meetings with key government and non-government stakeholders.

It is organised in five sections:

• Section 1 briefly describes the review background and methodology.

• Section 2 summarises findings about HIV prevalence and risk factors in migrant populations and ethnic minorities.

• Section 3 overview of international, regional policies, guidelines/recommendations on HIV testing and counselling in migrant populations and ethnic minorities.

• Section 4 highlights challenges and barriers to HIV testing among migrant and ethnic minority populations.

• Section 5 outlines approaches to HIV testing in migrants and ethnic minorities. It also considers how to increase uptake of testing in these populations….”

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