Define health policy and describe health policy formulation process

Health policy refers to decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken especially by governments to
achieve specific health care goals within a society. It defines a vision for the future which in turn helps to
establish targets and points of reference for the short and medium term. It also outlines priorities and
the expected roles of different groups and it builds consensus and informs people. It is not a single
action but requires a range of legislative and regulatory efforts. Health care policy is that piece of health
policy that deals with the organization, financing and delivery of health care services. This includes
training of health professionals, overseeing the safety of drugs and medical devices, administering public
programs like Medicare and regulating private health insurance. The development of health policies
varies from country to country.

WHO framework for national health policies, strategies, and plans identifies the following key elements
for policy formulation:

1. Engaging stakeholders
2. Situation analysis & priority setting
3. Bringing it all together
4. From vision to operational
5. Costing plans
6. Monitoring & evaluation

The following steps are essential for policy making & are summarized in the diagram below:
Identify key issues in health policy formulation

1. Identify the problem that created a need for a new policy

2. Identification of relevant baseline indicators that offer a measure of the situation the policy is
supposed to address
3. Identify concrete actions under way or in the pipeline, intended to implement the policy under
study and practical feasibility of the chosen measures must be assessed
4. Compare the size of the problem to be addressed by the policy and the resources allocated to the
actions intended to implement the policy gives a rough measure of the level of commitment existing
in relation to a policy and of the robustness of the analysis behind it

State concept and significance of health policy analysis

Policy analysis has been defined as determining what governments’ do, why they do it, and what
difference it makes (Dye, 1976). More recently, such analysis has become concerned with examining the
processes of governance and policy advocacy, rather than with purely focusing on government itself. It
helps in understanding the nature, intent and impact of a policy. It gives us an idea of the strengths and
weaknesses of a policy & helps us understand past policy failures and successes and aids us in planning
for future policy implementation

Policy analysis is done on three levels:

1. Micro-level concerned with identifying who makes decisions and how choices are made within
organizations
2. Mid-level concerned with health policy making processes and the mechanisms of agenda
definition & policy practice
3. Macro-level concerned with the criticism and evaluation of the existing health care system
within its economic, political and cultural context

Explain approaches and tools used for health policy analysis

Various approaches often termed “evidence-based policy” tools are as follows,

• The published literature. If possible, rely on evidence-based medicine (EBM) “meta-analysis.”

• The experience to date of other providers/programs (possible site visits) b) Estimate impact on
health outcomes using quantitative techniques. These may include operations
research/forecasting/statistical analysis. Estimate economic impact using cost-effectiveness and
cost-benefit.
• Decision-making group. (Need to decide which constituencies will have advise and/or consent
roles)
• After completing the matrix, consider making changes
Policy making & analysis is a complex & dynamic process that requires the efforts & commitment of all
stakeholders involved. Health policy making should be undertaken with the view in mind to improve the
quality of life of populations involved.