USING EVIDENCE TO TRANSLATE NATIONAL POLICY INTO LOCAL ACTION

Abstract

The challenge of turning national policy into actions, implemented at a local level, is one faced by policy-makers world-wide. Ireland’s national policy for promoting Positive Ageing explicitly acknowledges the role that the Age Friendly Cities and Counties (AFCC) programme plays in improving the lives of older people. Through a collaborative study jointly funded by national and local governments, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative uses links established with the WHO’s Age Friendly Cities Programme to translate knowledge into action. Data from a random sample survey of people 55 and older in 20 AFCC programme areas during 2015/2016 (n=10,000) was disseminated to local AFCC alliances. Reflecting the priorities of the National Positive Ageing Strategy and the AFCC program, the survey covered areas such as deprivation and neighbourhood social capital, preferences for housing adaptation and local area walkability. Results link the social and built environment to the health and wellbeing of older people and identify barriers to participation and essential health and social services. As the AFCC program expanded to 10 new local authority areas, results are used to develop a common understanding of age friendly priorities, to optimise and sustain political and social commitment and to identify areas for action in new AFCC programs. The efficacy of the dissemination practices is explored through a qualitative study using thematic content analysis of the locally produced strategies and semi-structured interviews with the key stakeholders responsible for the implementation of strategies.