Public Health Policy and Practice: A Critical Analysis of The Healthy Public PolicyIdea and Appraisal of Its Capacity to Reduce Health Inequalities

Abstract

The concept of Healthy Public Policy is a notable milestone in the global evolution of Public Health (Rosen G, 1993). This concept is regarded a special milestone since it described for the first time the idea of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary integrated approach in combating public and clinical health problems (Awofeso, 2004). Over the decades some degree of determination to improve the health status of individuals, families and communities at national and international levels can be appreciated. One such determination, at international level, was in 1988 when the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a conference on health promotion and deliberated on the Healthy Public Policy. Such an idea had already been earmarked for action two years earlier (Ottawa, Canada 1986). The conference aimed at describing the concept of healthy public policy and how it can be applied to address issues of inequality and access of health care and how it is closely linked to socio-economic development (WHO, 1988).
Healthy public policy is comprehensive, extensive and inclusive. Its core ethos being shaping and influencing policies at higher levels so as to favourably alter the determinants of public health (Whitehead, 1995).
In this essay a critical analysis of healthy public policy is presented followed by discussion of potential causes of health inequalities and how implementation of such a policy could improve health equity. A conclusion comes last with a summary of the main points discussed.