PH Communications & Advocacy
sjsaaorabi
Chapter2ppt.pptxChapter 2
Public Policy Explained
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
What is Public Policy?
What does policy mean to you?
Big “P” : Laws, rules, regulations
Little “p”: organizational rules, practices, normative behaviors in a specific setting
Formal and less formal laws interact:
Ex: Formal laws can make specific requirements within organizations
Mandating P.E. time in schools
Setting guidelines for what sexual harassment in the workplace is
Organizations can breed less formal laws that work up to large policy
Voluntary smoke-free movement in the workplace
Moved up to mandatory county, city, state
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
When does government intervention become appropriate?
Policy is a societal tool
Allocates community resources
Solves social problems
Improve conditions
Especially useful when individuals are unable to resolve conflicts but believe in a political process
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
When does government intervention become appropriate?
Provision of Public Goods
These are resources available to everyone and do not run out
Fresh air
National security
Street lighting
Community parks
Public road
Do not cost $, government is required to produce
Example:
Global Polio Eradications Initiative
Supported by national governments to provide public good
Public private partnership to eliminate polio worldwide via vaccination and surveillance
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
When does government intervention become appropriate?
Ensuring Access to Accurate Information
Making informed choices about health requires access to available information
Government can take action to ensure health related information is available to the public
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
When does government intervention become appropriate?
Accounting for Costs or Benefits Incurred by Third Parties
Production/consumption of goods can lead to unintended outcomes – positive and negative
Indirect consequences are “externalities”
Alcohol use associated with MVC’s and interpersonal violence, each producing injuries for nondrinkers
Policies to increase alcohol price in order to prevent these externalities
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
When does government intervention become appropriate?
Protection of vulnerable populations
Society deems certain groups of people deserve extra protection
Children
Racial minorities
For example prevent health risks:
Prohibiting sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in schools
Provide targeted cancer screening program funding
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
Common and administrative law
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
The framers envisioned the Senate as a body of statesmen who make decisions based on experience and wisdom, not on the unpredictable whims of the people
One-third of the Senate is elected every two years
Representation in the Senate is equal for every state
Each state has two senators
Senators serve six-year terms
The length of the term is supposed to insulate senators from public opinion and allow them to act independently
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
The House of Representatives is meant to be “the people’s house,” or the part of government most responsive to public opinion
Each state’s representation in the House is based on population, with each state getting at least one member
California has the most members (54)
Many states, including Delaware, Vermont, Montana, and Alaska, each have only one member
Every member of the House represents a district within a state, and each district has roughly the same population (roughly 660,000 in 2006)
Membership in the House is capped at 435.
To keep them responsive to the people, House members face reelection every two years, and the entire body is elected at the same time.
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
There are a total of 120 seats in the California State Legislature
100 seats:
20 of the California State Senate and
80 of the California State Assembly, are up for election every two years
California State Senate
40 state senators and meets in Sacramento
Members of the Democratic Party are currently in the majority in the California Senate
Each California senator represents a district with an average population of 931,349 residents, as of the 2010 Census
Members serve four-year terms
The terms of the Senators are staggered so that half the membership is elected every two years.
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
California State Assembly (lower house of the California State Legislature)
80 members to the Assembly, representing a relatively equal amount of constituencies
Each member represents an average of 465,674 residents, as of the 2010 Census
Due to the state's large population and relatively small legislature, the Assembly has the largest population per representative ratio of any lower house legislature in the United States
https://ballotpedia.org/California_state_legislative_districts#Senate_2
Districts by State: https://ballotpedia.org/State_Legislative_Districts
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Overview of the U.S. Political System
National 114th Congressional District
https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/uswall/cd114/CD114_WallMap_large.gif
114th Congressional District Map
Californiahttps://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd114/st_based/CD114_CA.pdf
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Policymaking Process
5 distinct steps; cyclical
Process for prevention policies adopted at the local, state, federal level
Problem prioritization
An issue becomes part of the public agenda & targeted for action
Policy formulation
Policy solutions are conceptualized & considered
Policy enactment
Specific solution is adopted
Policy implementation
Policy solution is implemented and enforced
Policy evaluation
Intended and unintended effects are analyzed to modify the policy
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Policymaking Process
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Policymaking Process: Legislative Process
Bill introduced to Senate or House federal bodies or parallel bodies at the state level by a member of that body
Sent to standing committee
Environment
Health
Public utilities
Education
Bills approved by both houses then move to executive branch (President/Governor)
Approved = law
Vetoed = returns to legislative branch and it needs 2/3 of the vote (federal level) to override and then it becomes a law
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Tracking Legislative Process of Bills
California Legislative Information
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Shaping Public Policy
Policymakers
Ideology
Ability to influence groups and bargain with them
Position among other policymakers
Political party can drive the agenda and influence their political platform
Democrats viewed as more public health friendly
Support government regulation of the private sector
Willing to spend $$ on social programs than Republicans
Mayor Bloomberg (NYC) established policies to make the city more health enabling
Smoking illegal in public places
Calorie counts in restaurants
Implementation of bicycle sharing programs
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Shaping Public Policy
Lobbyists
Important factor in federal and state policymaking
Connotates a negative response b/c associated with large amounts of money funneled through tobacco, food, and big pharma
$$ goes into hands of policymakers in exchange for votes
Not all bad
Pro-public health agencies like American Public Health Association, American Medical Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids play an instrumental role in public health policy efforts
Healthcare reform lobbying – Kaiser Health News
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Interest Groups
Unified position to a specific problem or policy solution
Large role in determining the government agenda, defining policy solutions, influencing decisions and directing implementation
Individuals
Organizations
AAP Prevention and Public Health Special Interest Group
National Health & Health Care Special Interest Groups
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Media
Increasingly influential as a result of social media
Paid v. Earned Media
Paid:
Publicity gained via paid advertising
T.v., radio, print, social sites on internet
Formats: commercials, promotional articles, billboards
Earned (free)
Publicity gained via promotional efforts
Cannot be bought or owned
Can only be gained by those controlling the messaging/editorial staff
Most trusted form of information
Mass media outlets: Newspaper, t.v., radio, social sites on internet
Formats: news articles, shows, letters to the editor, editorials, polls on t.v. & internet
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Media Advocacy
Use of mass media to move public health policy forward in a strategic manner
Community members and stakeholders take hold of media to generate and encourage change
Empowers population
Improve health outcomes
Click it or Ticket campaign
Achieved educating the public of the importance of seat belts in saving lives and consequences of breaking the law
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Citizens
Elect policymakers
Advocacy
Proposing solutions
How?
Correspond with policymakers via hearings & personal contact
Advocate – voicing public support or recommendation of a specific cause or policy
Can do so individually or
Join CBO’s or interest groups
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Public Health Scientists & Practitioners
Communicate research and public health stories to policymakers and the public
Contributes to the policy process
Conduct studies of early seat belt law
Demonstrate states with primary law v. secondary law are more effective
Analyze:
proposed policy solutions OR
Determines effectiveness, efficiency, and equity
policy after implementation
Identify the unintended consequences
Example:
Involved in development of 1994 Violence Against Women Act as well as fighting to reauthorize with increased protections for special groups in 2013
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Reference
(Eyler, Chriqui, Moreland-Russell & Brownson, 2016)
Eyler, A.A., Chriqui, J.F., Moreland-Russell, S.M., & Brownson, R.C. (Eds.). (2016) Prevention, policy, and public health (1st ed.) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
