Determinants of Health Policy Impact: Comparative Results of a European Policymaker Study

Rütten A, Lüschen G, von Lengerke T, Abel T, Kannas L, Rodriguez Diaz JA, Vinck J, van der Zee J (2003)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2003

Journal

Sozial- und Präventivmedizin/Social and Preventive Medicine Springer Verlag (Germany)

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 48

Pages Range: 379-391

DOI: 10.1007/s00038-003-2048-0

Abstract

Objectives: This article will use a new theoretical framework for the analysis of health policy impact introduced by Rütten et al. (2003). In particular, it will report on a comparative European study of policymakers' perception and evaluation of specific determinants of the policy impact, both in terms of output (implemented measures) and outcome (health behaviour change). Policy determinants investigated are goals, resources, obligations and opportunities as related to the policymaking process. Methods: Theory is applied to a comparative analysis of prevention and health promotion policy in Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. The study is MED2-part of a project that has developed a Methodology for the Analysis of the Rationality and Effectiveness of Prevention and Health Promotion Strategies (MAREPS) within the EU-BIO-program. A mail survey of 719 policymakers on the executive and administrative level selected by a focused sample procedure was conducted. This survey used policymakers' experience and evaluative expertise to analyse determinants of policy output and outcome. Results: Regression analyses reveal differential predictive power of policy goals, resources, obligations, as well as of political, organisational and public opportunities. For instance, whereas resources, concreteness of goals, and public opportunities have significant importance for health outcome of policy, obligations and organisational opportunities significantly predict policy output. Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of rationality and effectiveness of health policy. They indicate that six sensitising constructs derived from the theoretical framework represent equivalent structures across nations. They comprise a validated instrument that can be used for further comparative health policy research.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alfred Rütten Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports

Involved external institutions

Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (HMGU) / Helmholtz Munich DE Germany (DE) Universität Bern CH Switzerland (CH) University of Jyväskylä / Jyväskylän yliopisto FI Finland (FI) Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) / Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies ES Spain (ES) Limburg Catholic University College BE Belgium (BE) Universiteit Utrecht (UU) / Utrecht University NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Rütten, A., Lüschen, G., von Lengerke, T., Abel, T., Kannas, L., Rodriguez Diaz, J.A.,... van der Zee, J. (2003). Determinants of Health Policy Impact: Comparative Results of a European Policymaker Study. Sozial- und Präventivmedizin/Social and Preventive Medicine, 48, 379-391. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-003-2048-0

MLA:

Rütten, Alfred, et al. "Determinants of Health Policy Impact: Comparative Results of a European Policymaker Study." Sozial- und Präventivmedizin/Social and Preventive Medicine 48 (2003): 379-391.

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