Introduction
Policymaking is a significant task in all spheres of life. It encompasses education and health care among others. However, several factors must be considered to achieve success. These include actors (major players), context, content, and process of policymaking. Of great importance is health policy triangle. Health policy triangle is significant because it forms the core of policymaking. Moreover, it serves to ensure analysis of policy. This paper will explore understanding of health policy. In addition, the paper will explore its application models (Colgrove, 2006, p. 2389-2391).
Analysis of the issue
Health policy triangle
Policymaking involves a number of processes and players. In this regard, states play an important role in influencing changes in health policy. Moreover, for one to have a complete understanding of policymaking, its content, process of making policy, as well as context must be properly identified. These four, content, actors, context, and process make up policy analysis triangle (with actors at the centre of policy triangle). Moreover, this involves exploring the role of power in health policy. To achieve this, one must identify groups that make up both global and national society. This will help in understanding their interrelations as well as influence on health policy. Furthermore, this involves an understanding of how health policy can be formulated. In addition, it is necessary to note that context of interaction between actors in policymaking must also be identified. This is therefore very important as it can be modelled for application in low, middle, as well as high-income countries. Again, to succeed in this, it is important to note that actors are usually influenced by their context (context where they live as well as work). In this regard, it is important to note that countries have varying contexts and this amount to differences between policies in them. Health policy triangle is therefore important in providing a road map for policymaking process. The four main components of a policy triangle are explained below.
Actors
Actors are central to any policy making process. Actors drive process of policymaking. They may be individuals, pressure groups, organisations, and government, among others. They also influence reform process. Actors may be categorised as non-state of state actors. In most cases, non-state actors work to influence formal political powers like legislators to drive policy-making process. For instance in the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine policy, actors were Beverly Hammerstrom, Gardasil, Merck, focus on family, Michigan State law makers, parents and research CDC agency, which conducted research on its reliability. It is important that these actors among others play a big role in influencing formulation of health policy (Wain, 2008, p. 501-502).
Content
Content of a policy is also essential as it influences other factors. In this regard, it is necessary that content is marched up to its objectives of health policy. For instance, policy on HPV vaccine seeks to make it compulsory for girls to be provided with the vaccine before sixth grade. They believe that it works successfully when done before they become sexually active. Moreover, this vaccine is aimed at preventing cervical cancers in girls. These elements are important in understanding content of the policy (Kulasingam, Connelly, Conway, Hocking, Myers, Regan, Roder, Ross & Wain, 2007, p. 165-175).
Context
The context within which health policies are made is also very important. Context influences actors on which side to support. This may range from settings, culture, ideology, or instability, among others. For instance, it can be noted that this policy was first passed in Michigan State. These include Structural context (role of CDC to provide credible research on need for HPV vaccines), Situational context (role of Senator Hammerstrom to create the motion) and cultural (parents who feel that this would conflict their religious beliefs), among others (Shiffman, Skarbalo & Subotic, 2002, p. 625-642).
Process
Process of policymaking sums up all channels followed to come up with the policy. This begins with identification of the problem, formulation of policy, negotiation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. For instance, in the case of HPV vaccines, the problem is cervical cancer in girls, which is on rise in the United States. After some research, Merck comes up with an ideal method for preventing cervical cancer. CDC researches this, among other health agencies. The FDA (Food and Drug administration agency licenses it); the senator introduces the bill which is passed by lawmakers. This happens after thorough negotiations that involve major players (actors). This policy is implemented after approval and after evaluation for its effectiveness (Kent, 2006, p. 1-16).
Conclusion
Health sector contributes significantly to world’s economy. Therefore, health policy making takes a central role in most countries. Need for policymaking is necessitated by numerous actors with conflicting interests as well as political cleavage, which is reluctant to control health sector. However, it is important to note that once enough consultation is done, policy-making process is usually successful. Moreover, it is quite necessary that policy-making triangle be followed to achieve success as seen in the two examples. In addition, policy triangle allows for analysis of /for policy (Walt & Gilson, 1994, p. 353-370).
References
Colgrove, J. (2006). The Ethics and Politics of Compulsory HPV Vaccination. New England journal of medicine, 355(49), 2389-2391. Web.
Kent, B. (2006). Health policy framework (chapter 1). In B. Kent, M. Nicholas & W. Walt. 2005. Making Health Policy (pp. 1-16). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press
Kulasingam, S., Connelly, L., Conway, E., Hocking, J., Myers, E., Regan, D., Roder, D., Ross, J. & Wain, G. (2007). A cost-effectiveness analysis of adding a human papillomavirus vaccine to the Australian National Cervical Cancer Screening Program. Sexual Health, 4(1), 165–175.
Shiffman, J., Skarbalo, M. & Subotic, J. (2002). Reproductive rights and the state in Serbia and Croatia. Social science and Medicine, 54(1), 625-642.
Wain, G. (2008). “I want the one for older women” — extending the human papillomavirus vaccine population base. MJA, 188 (9), 501-502.
Walt, G. & Gilson, I. (1994). Reforming the health sector in developing countries: the central role of policy analysis. Health policy and Planning, 9(1), 353-370.