Gaining health : analysis of policy development in European ...

Chapter 1
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the European Region, sharing experience and lessons learnt
between countries and establishing a baseline for measuring
progress over time. Initiated in the summer of 2006
and taking over 18 months to complete, the review was to
include a number of interrelated components:
• a qualitative analysis of NCD policies and their development
in a sample of countries (case studies);
• an overall analysis of the patterns and characteristics of
NCD policy development in Europe according to the
policy cycle;
• an overview of challenges and opportunities facing NCD
policy development in the future; and
• development of advice to countries, tailored to context,
with pointers for the future in NCD policy development.
The intention was to provide evidence-based practical
guidance for decision-makers and civil servants in the field
of NCD policy development and their interested partners.
In the event, while leaving many questions open, the study
uncovered a wealth of material that will support continued
development of the implementation of the European NCD
Strategy as a flexible policy framework, and provides a
valuable learning experience for the further refinement of
policy analysis skills.
The structure of the book is as follows.
Chapter 1. Introduction
This chapter gives the rationale for the study and an overview
of the book.
Chapter 2. History and context of policies to tackle
NCD
This chapter describes the key features of NCD policy
development in the last two decades, the broader context
and related policy initiatives.
Chapter 3. Methodology, underlying concepts and
values
This chapter sets out why and how the original study was
carried out, with an explanation of underlying concepts and
values.
Chapter 4. Country case studies
The case studies describe NCD policy development in
Albania, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Kyrgyzstan and Lithuania. These eight countries were
selected to provide reasonable geographical coverage and
to include countries at different levels of economic development
and with a range of political, administrative and health
care systems and length of NCD policy experience.
Chapter 5. Reflections on experiences
Drawing on cross-analysis of the case studies and other
sources, this chapter reflects on country experience
throughout the policy cycle, presents the lessons learnt, and
illustrates how different stakeholders and NCD issues influence
the development of policies.
Chapter 6. Pointers for the future
Leading on from the conclusions of the analysis, this chapter
offers countries valuable pointers on moving forward within
the framework of the European NCD Strategy and also
alerts them to emerging challenges and opportunities for
NCD policy development in the future.
This book should be of use to those in health administration
interested and/or in a position to influence NCD policy
development, their colleagues in other sectors and departments
whose work may impinge on health, and decisionmakers
at national, regional and local levels who must take
action for health and development. While not primarily
written for an academic audience, the book is also likely to
be of interest in academic and research circles and prove
useful for teaching purposes.
Introduction