Health Policy Analysis: Some Reflections on the State of the Art

In: Policy studies journal: an international journal of public policy, Band 9, Heft 2, S. 188-197

Abstract

Major issues in defining the area of health policy analysis are addressed. Although the term "health policy" is used here to designate specific governmental actions aimed at influencing the health system, it is noted that: (1) policies in other areas also affect the system significantly, & (2) not all policies are explicitly formulated as part of a planned strategy. Concepts of health & health care are reviewed in discussing the subject matter emphasis of the field; the distinct areas of policy analysis, planning, & administration are examined to demonstrate the interdisciplinary basis of health services research. Major classifications in health policy analysis are also considered (eg, input-process, process-output, & output-output), & a transarea approach to determine the distinctiveness of policy processes in the field is recommended. Modified Author Conclusion.