Using health policy and systems research to influence national health policies

Lessons from Mexico, Cambodia and Ghana

Bibliographic Data

ID15127048
AuthorsDaniel Llywelyn Strachan (0000-0001-6143-1742, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne , 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia, corresponding author), Kirsty Teague (0000-0001-9822-5301, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne , 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia), Anteneh Asefa (0000-0003-4470-1848, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne , 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia), Peter Annear (0000-0001-7887-8292, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne , 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia), Abdul Ghaffar (0000-0002-5994-8440, The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, 20 Avenue Appia, Geneva 1211, Switzerland), Zubin Cyrus Shroff (0000-0002-0582-8582, The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, 20 Avenue Appia, Geneva 1211, Switzerland), Barbara Mcpake (0000-0002-9904-1077, The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne , 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)
Year2023
Volume38
Issue1
Pages3-14
Publication date2023-01-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/czac083
PMID36181467
OpenAlexW4298326615
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited58

Health system reforms across Africa, Asia and Latin America in recent decades demonstrate the value of health policy and systems research (HPSR) in moving towards the goals of universal health coverage in different circumstances and by various means. The role of evidence in policy making is widely accepted; less well understood is the influence of the concrete conditions under which HPSR is carried out within the national context and which often determine policy outcomes. We investigated the varied experiences of HPSR in Mexico, Cambodia and Ghana (each selected purposively as a strong example reflecting important lessons under varying conditions) to illustrate the ways in which HPSR is used to influence health policy. We reviewed the academic and grey literature and policy documents, constructed three country case studies and interviewed two leading experts from each of Mexico and Cambodia and three from Ghana (using semi-structured interviews, anonymized to ensure objectivity). For the design of the study, design of the semi-structured topic guide and the analysis of results, we used a modified version of the context-based analytical framework developed by Dobrow et al. (Evidence-based health policy: context and utilisation. Social Science & Medicine 2004;58:207–17). The results demonstrate that HPSR plays a varied but essential role in effective health policy making and that the use, implementation and outcomes of research and research-based evidence occurs inevitably within a national context that is characterized by political circumstances, the infrastructure and capacity for research and the longer-term experience with HPSR processes. This analysis of national experiences demonstrates that embedding HPSR in the policy process is both possible and productive under varying economic and political circumstances. Supporting research structures with social development legislation, establishing relationships based on trust between researchers and policy makers and building a strong domestic capacity for health systems research all demonstrate means by which the value of HPSR can be materialized in strengthening health systems

Context (archaeology) · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Health services research · Latin Americans · Objectivity (philosophy) · Political science · Public health · Public relations · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Nursing · Public Administration · Health Policy