Event highlights
13 June 2024
The webinar hosted by the Behavioural and Cultural Insights (BCI) Unit at WHO/Europe introduced a new policy brief on measuring and maximizing public support for health policies.
The event, held virtually on 5 June 2024, was attended by approximately 90 people, including health experts, academics and public health authorities from across the WHO European Region. Robb Butler, Director of the Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health Division at WHO/Europe, delivered the opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of using insights and methods from behavioural science to understand the public’s needs and bridge the gap between effective health polices and policies that resonate with the population.
Drawing on the new BCI policy brief, James Reynolds, Consultant for WHO/Europe’s BCI Unit and lead author of the brief, presented tools and considerations for increasing public support for evidence-based health policies. Three key considerations were highlighted: 1) why public support matters for health policies; 2) how to effectively measure public support; and 3) how to maximize public support through a 5-step process.
Case examples were shared by public health experts and representatives from WHO/Europe and public health authorities from Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Wales. The examples spanned various policy areas ranging from alcohol and nutrition to road safety, illustrating how public support or opposition can significantly influence policy implementation.
The webinar concluded with a “meet the experts” session, allowing participants to ask questions and share reflections.
The WHO BCI policy brief is accessible online in English.
For any questions or feedback regarding the webinar, please reach out to euinsights@who.int. A recording of the event is available upon request.
Event notice
5 June 2024
The Behavioural and Cultural Insights (BCI) Unit at WHO/Europe is hosting a webinar to launch a new policy brief on measuring and maximizing public support for health policies. The launch event will take place on 5 June 10:30–11:45 Central European Time (virtual).
Background
Health policies can be powerful in enabling or restricting essential health-related behaviours, such as smoking in public arenas; eating and exercising in school settings; or access to vaccination or screening services. Public support for evidence-based health policies is essential. Public support influences the likelihood that a policy will be introduced, how likely it is to remain implemented and fully enforced, and its success. BCI provide tools for exploring public support, how it can be measured, and how to maximize support for evidence-based and effective health policies.
Event details
During the webinar, experts and policy-makers will explore the tools and practical considerations for measuring and maximizing public support. The event will also feature case examples from Member States where public support – or opposition – played a key role in supporting or hampering the introduction of health policies.
Key objectives of the event are to:
- explore opportunities for incorporating public voices and perspectives in policy design and implementation;
- identify challenges and how to overcome them;
- highlight inspirational work and case examples and tools for increasing public participation in health policy design and implementation; and
- facilitate the exchange of views on opportunities to apply the policy brief.
This online event is open to anyone working on health policies in national, regional or local governments; nationally nominated BCI Focal Points; as well as experts, practitioners and anyone else interested in and affected by the topic of policies for better health.
Please register using this link .
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.
For questions, please reach out to euinsights@who.int