Local government policymaking environment for Health in All Policies: a case study research investigation

ABSTRACT

The local level of government is identified as being well placed to address the determinants of health due to their flatter governance structure and proximity to the community. Research has identified multiple factors that influence local governments to act on these health determinants, although few have applied theories of the policy process to understand the policymaking environment. Using two Australian local government case study sites, we explored the policymaking environment regarding policy decisions to address health determinants using the lens of four theories of the policy process. We conducted 20 interviews and one focus group with elected members and staff in local government, along with an analysis of 12 policy documents and participation in a policy reference group. Following thematic analysis, 13 factors influencing policy addressing health determinants were identified, mostly confirming previous research from within Australia and globally. New themes have emerged regarding the limited range of policy actors involved and the lack of advocacy, particularly by community or media, who have an identified influence over decision-making in a local government context. Applying theories of the policy process also demonstrates how they can be used to add meaning to the interconnectedness of influences in unique local government policymaking environments.

KEYWORDS:

• Municipality
• policy process
• political science
• health determinants
• health promotion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contribution statement

All authors were involved in conceptualisation and design of the study. Kara Lilly completed data collection and analysis, wrote the original draft manuscript, and contributed to review and editing, along with project administration. Suzanne Robinson, Linda A Selvey and Jonathan Hallett provided supervision of the research and contributed intellectual content where relevant. All authors provide approval for the final manuscript to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Data availability statement

Due to ethical considerations, supporting data is not publicly available. Participants did not provide informed consent for the data to be shared outside of this study.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2024.2334364.

Notes

1. QSR International Pty Ltd. NVivo Versions 11 (2015) and 12 (released 2018). https://www.qsrinternational.com/nvivo-qualitative-data-analysis-software/home

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific funding from agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship.