Challenges in Advocating for Public Health Policies and Intervention

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Running Head: HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Health Policy and Advocacy
Name
Institutional affiliation

HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY
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Health Policy and Advocacy
Challenges in Advocating for Public Health Policies and Intervention
Advocates face many problems when trying to come up with new policies and
interventions that can be used in the public health system to increase services and affordability.
One of the challenges is the problem of attribution of advocates where there is much doubt
whether it works as it becomes difficult to quantify, measure, and evaluate the influence of
advocacy in the health system. Inclusively, advocates become controversial during their debates
with the motive of achieving their goal (Katikireddi, Bond, and Hilton, 2014). Public media
plays a vital role in shaping health policies. Media provides the insights on major issues on drug
usage hence helping in strengthening and introduction of new policies.
Government Regulation in the Nanny States and Countering Anti regulation
The purpose of the government in any state is to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens and
to protect their rights and choices. In the healthcare system, all the organizations work toward
improving the health status of patients. I, therefore, side the issue of government regulation since
its primary purpose is to enhance the well-being of the society. Several benefits are available as
evidence in support of the rules that can be used to win the debate. Moreover, the availability of
many health advocates all of the country whose job is to speak on behalf of the health system
will increase the chances of winning the debate.
Integration of the Research Policy Community
For a policy to be formed, there must exist the people to whom the reforms directly affect
and the individuals responsible for the formation of the rules. Different factors influence the

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level of integration of the research community and the policymakers. Research-based policies are
not evident hence may not represent the right choice of the society. Moreover, the culture,
norms, and practices from one community to the other differ thus basing policies on research
may undermine or affect the practices of other community (Freudenberg, and Tsui, 2014). The
motive of policymakers may not be aligned with the needs and interest of the society hence
lowering the level of integration. Evidence-based policies are much prevalent in today’s
communities, and they cannot result to value free rules based on the government support, and use
of scientific information all of which requires the investment of time, money and resources.
Evidence-based policy is much possible and is evident by the waste management policy and
policy on parental leave in Australia.
Issues for the Introduction of Evidence-Based Policy
Several challenges led to the introduction of the evidence-based policy in Australia, and
they include the problem of inter jurisdiction commission that results to an inability to find a
national solution to problems. Moreover, economic turbulence, international competitive
pressure and greenhouse challenges led to the introduction of evidence-based policy (Oliver,
Lorenc, and Innvær, 2014).
Strategies for Translating Evidence into Policy
The strategies for the translation of research and evidence into practice and regulations
may include carrying out a transparent and open debate that will educate and test the public.
Also, building greater institutional capacity, having an active council of Australian Government
arrangement, better use of external contracting, and properly evaluating the resources can
improve the policy implementation and use.