Public Health Policy
What is Public ?
Agenda - Setting: A Model
Broad Policy Models
- Problem stream: define, frame, problem
- Policy stream: feasibility, public acceptance, proposed solutions
- Political stream: interest groups, public opinion, electoral politics etc.
(Oversimplification of reality)
State and Local Policy
Newtown and Gun Control
Dynamic, interactive system in which public "problems" can be identified and potentially countered by creating, amending, or repealing existing public policy
Richmond - Kotelchuck Model
- Unicameral. Only one in nation.
- Session from January through June
- Senators paid 12,000 a year
- Public hearings, committee meetings, full floor debate, vote.
Health is inextricably woven into the geography, warfare, politics, poverty, population, infrastructure, economy, and prejudices of a region
Scientific evidence: sound data regarding the problem
Social infrastructure: systems in place to support a solution
Political will: public support and resources available to achieve the solution
Richmond-Kotelchuck model, 1991
Most of health's failures are in the arena of political will
Case Studies
Prenatal Care
Human Trafficking in Nebraska
Agenda Setting
The Policy Cycle
an oversimplified model breaking down policy into the following steps:
- arguably, most crucial step in the whole process
- A list of problems that government officials are paying attention to
- How will an issue reach the agenda?
The Result: A Policy
- Road map for a course of action.
- Typically enacted by the executive branches of the state
- Can consist of regulatory measures, laws, funding priorities, etc
The Policy Cycle