Challenges in Advocating for Public Health Policies and Intervention

This article discusses the challenges faced by advocates when trying to come up with new policies and interventions that can be used in the public health system to increase services and affordability. It also talks about the strategies for translating evidence into policy and the ethical and public health implications of alcohol sponsorship to sports and advertising surgery drinks and fast food to children.

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

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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.

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Closing the Gap Campaign
The community has played significant role in the development of closing the gap
campaign through such activities as provision of balanced diet to children, taking the children
and youths to school, and involvement in the activities and applying for the job opportunities
offered by the government (Cacari-Stone, Wallerstein, Garcia, and Minkler, 2014). The
community also engages in environmental conservation and maintenance of a clean environment.
Through voluntary participation in the training programs and meetings, much is learned that
helps to increase the living standards. Those members with the job set aside part of their income
for community development activities (Browne, Hayes, and Gleeson, 2014). Despite the progress
of the campaign, several challenges accrue that hamper the full achievement of the program.
These may include the increased level of racism among the Australian citizens in many
government institutions, high level of illiteracy hinders communication and training, staffing
shortages, lack of cultural awareness, inadequate transport services, the direct medical costs.
Conflict of Interest Evident within Lobbying
The Big food company has recently been found in food lobbying activities where they
convinced the health department staff to withdraw a website to be used by the government in
launching new health star rating and labeling system. Parvin (2016) argues that such activity
exposed how large and powerful companies influence government policies in Australia for their
interest.
Government Silencing Dissent
Silencing dissent has recently been evident where Turnbull attacked the protestors and
journalist for their freedom of expression. Following the incident, it is clear that the Australian

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government is silencing the government owing to the right of speech and expression that is
allowed in the country. Moreover, the former prime minister intends to bend the laws down by
criminalizing dissent to enable the silencing of dissent in the country.
Ethical and Public Health Implication of alcohol sponsorship to sports
Most sports events and movies are attended by youths who have an active part in all
social and criminal behaviors and practices. Sponsorship of such activities by the tobacco and
alcohol companies provides them with the opportunity to advertise their products which are of
detrimental effects. Alcohol and tobacco consumption can result in health effects like cancer,
cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, and weakens the nervous system. The ethical impact of
these substances abuse includes increased criminal behaviors among youths and accidents.
Ethical and Public Health Implication of Advertising Surgery Drinks and Fast Food
to Children
The demand for fast food and surgery drinks increases when advertised to children. Fast
food and surgery drinks contain much sugar and fats which when taken in excess can result to
health effects among children. The effects of these foods include excessive weight gain resulting
in obesity, lung and heart diseases increases (Ronit, and Jensen, 2014). Other effects include skin
eczema, weakening of the teeth, and development of depression. Some children will go to the
extent of stealing money to purchase such products due to the addictive nature thus resulting to
development of immoral behaviors.

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Public Regulation and Monitoring
The limits of advertisement are influenced by the kind of information to be passed. Some
adverts may negatively affect the behavior of children hence should be avoided. Bray and Kwo
(2014) argue that public and private sector regulation should be encouraged as some companies
have their main of the objective as maximizing profit and not satisfying and valuing the health
and needs of the customer. Companies may use harmful raw materials in production thus
resulting in effects on the final consumers; therefore, it is essential to regulate and monitor all the
sectors (Noel, Babor, and Robaina, 2017). Achieving accountability to the public may be
influenced by such things as complexity and ambiguity in governance arrangement which has to
be followed. Moreover, responsibility tends to focus on the process rather than the outcome
hence it becomes difficult to achieve results. Unclear expectation and lack of visibility on the
policies may also cause tension.

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Reference
Bray, M., & Kwo, O. (2014). Regulating private tutoring for public good. Policy Options for
Supplementary Education in Asia. UNESCO Bangkok.
Browne, J., Hayes, R., & Gleeson, D. (2014). Aboriginal health policy: is nutrition the ‘gap’in
‘Closing the Gap’?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 38(4), 362-
369.
Cacari-Stone, L., Wallerstein, N., Garcia, A. P., & Minkler, M. (2014). The promise of
community-based participatory research for health equity: a conceptual model for
bridging evidence with policy. American journal of public health, 104(9), 1615-1623.
Freudenberg, N., & Tsui, E. (2014). Evidence, power, and policy change in community-based
participatory research. American Journal of Public Health, 104(1), 11-14.
Katikireddi, S. V., Bond, L., & Hilton, S. (2014). Changing policy framing as a deliberate
strategy for public health advocacy: a qualitative policy case study of minimum unit
pricing of alcohol. The Milbank Quarterly, 92(2), 250-283.
Noel, J. K., Babor, T. F., & Robaina, K. (2017). Industry self regulation of alcohol marketing: a‐
systematic review of content and exposure research. Addiction, 112, 28-50.
Oliver, K., Lorenc, T., & Innvær, S. (2014). New directions in evidence-based policy research: a
critical analysis of the literature. Health research policy and systems, 12(1), 34.
Ronit, K., & Jensen, J. D. (2014). Obesity and industry self-regulation of food and beverage
marketing: a literature review. European journal of clinical nutrition, 68(7), 753.