Public Policy Agenda Research Articles

Public Policies in Development: Analysis of The Goiás Social Program in Goiânia (2023)

Objective: To present information, analyses and discussions about the development of the Goiás Social Program in the city of Goiânia – GO and its respective contribution to achieving the SDGs proposed by the 2030 Agenda. Theoretical Framework: Brazilian Public Policies and Sustainable Development under the global agreement for the development and implementation of sustainability strategies and practices. Methodology: Quantitative and qualitative survey and analysis of data related to the Goiás Social Program, namely, founding legislation, implementation proposal, budget, objectives, structure, beneficiaries and results from the PGS projects and programs developed in the city of Goiânia - GO, on the official PGS pages, and their respective implementing institutions: State Secretariat for Social Development of the Government of the State of Goiás and Municipal Secretariat for Human and Social Development of Goiânia Results and Discussion: The investigation resulted in the identification of projects that, despite the general idea of focusing on sustainability, lacked precise disclosure regarding the publication of the project proposals in full, budget, objectives, structure, beneficiaries and results, made it difficult to analyze the scope and effective contribution of these projects to the achievement of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. Implications of the investigation: Sustainability has gained prominence in the global Public Policy Agenda. Investigating the effective contributions of Brazilian public policies in this scenario becomes essential in terms of improving and enhancing its process, whose demands are under a continuous dynamism that requires monitoring the actions developed in compliance with the transformations of these demands resulting from social dynamism. Originality/Value: This investigation presents information on the propositions and structure of the Goiás Social Program, as well as on the management of its implementation in the city of Goiânia - GO.

Does the Media’s Partisanship Influence News Coverage on Artificial Intelligence Issues? Media Coverage Analysis on Artificial Intelligence Issues

This study aims to analyze news coverage on artificial intelligence (AI) issues and highlight the characteristics and differences in reporting based on media partisanship. By examining AI-related news in the South Korean media, this study reveals how conservative and progressive outlets frame the issue differently. The analysis found that conservative media coverage predominantly focuses on positive aspects, emphasizing development value frames such as the benefits and societal progress brought by AI. In contrast, progressive media often highlight crisis value frames, focusing on issues like side effects, ethical concerns, and legislation surrounding AI. These partisan differences reflect fundamental societal priorities and influence public discourse and policy agendas. Understanding media framing is crucial for fostering informed public dialogue on the societal significance of AI and promoting evidence-based decision-making. By recognizing partisan biases and critically evaluating media coverage, citizens can engage in constructive discourse beyond ideological divides. This study underscores the role of the media in promoting interdisciplinary discussions about the future trajectory of AI and in preparing society for its impacts. Ultimately, evidence-based public discourse is essential for shaping responsible AI policies and mitigating potential risks in the digital age.

The state of British policymaking: How can UK government become more effective?

Abstract How can UK and devolved governments be more effective when addressing chronic problems like inequalities or crises like climate change? The dominant story is of pessimism: policymaking is bound to a Westminster tradition of short-termism, elitism, and centralization, and reform efforts are doomed to failure. We present a more cautiously optimistic account about the prospects for a more effective government, grounded in theory-informed lessons from two decades of UK and devolved government reform efforts. We describe a potentially more innovative and less blundering state and present a coherent Positive Public Policy agenda that can help to realize this potential.

Rhetorical Persuasion in Sara Duterte’s Basic Education Curriculum Advocacy: A Sociopragmatic Analysis

This study aimed to describe the pragmatic features of Sara Duterte's advocacies regarding the Basic Education Curriculum in the Philippines. The research data, gathered from 2022 to 2023 during Duterte's tenure as Secretary of the Department of Education, included an interview and speeches totaling 5 hours and 16 minutes. Using dimensions of pragmatics, including presupposition (Stalnaker, 1973), implicature (Grice, 1975), felicity conditions (Searle, 1969), and politeness strategies (Brown & Levinson, 1987), the analysis revealed several key findings. The presuppositions identified included learner success and employability, inclusive education, a supportive learning environment, teacher support and development, education system improvement, and learner values and development. Implicatures conveyed messages of resiliency, heroic qualities, perseverance, and involvement beyond education. The illocutionary forces identified were assertives, directives, and commissives, each examined for adherence to the conditions necessary for their validity. Additionally, Duterte strategically employed politeness strategies such as positive politeness, negative politeness, bald-on-record, and off-record strategies. These findings offer a deeper understanding of how political figures strategically use language to shape public opinion and policy agendas, particularly in critical areas such as education. By comprehending the pragmatic underpinnings of political discourse, stakeholders can better discern the intentions and potential impacts of such advocacies, facilitating informed decision-making and societal progress.

Integrated Management of Hazardous Solid Waste in Dental Offices of Talara (Peru) and Machala (Ecuador): A Policy Brief Comparing Two Latin American Countries

Background The improper management of hazardous solid waste in dental care offices poses significant risks to public health and the environment. Dental offices generate hazardous waste, including biological and chemical contaminants, which can lead to infections, pollution, and harm if not managed properly. Effective waste management practices are crucial, yet compliance varies significantly across regions, especially in Latin America, due to limited resources, inadequate training, and insufficient infrastructure. This study compares hazardous waste management practices in dental offices in Talara, Peru, and Machala, Ecuador, to provide actionable recommendations for improvement. Policy and Implications In Peru, hazardous waste management involves critical steps such as conditioning, segregation, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal. Compliance minimizes exposure risks and environmental contamination. Ecuador emphasizes administrative and operational aspects, including policies, records, training, and procedures. Improving practices in both countries can model enhanced waste management across Latin America. Recommendations To address challenges in Talara and similar Latin American cities, it is essential to strengthen administrative systems, increase budget allocations for waste management, and develop comprehensive training programs. Waste management should be prioritized within public policy agendas with clear guidelines and accountability measures. Both cities need improved resource allocation, modern waste treatment facilities, and centralized storage solutions. Continuous education and certification programs are crucial. Implementing integrated policies, regular reviews, and robust compliance mechanisms based on Machala’s practices can benefit other regions. Public awareness campaigns and regional collaboration through workshops and research initiatives are also recommended. Conclusions Significant disparities in hazardous waste management exist between Talara and Machala. Talara requires strengthened systems and improved infrastructure, while Machala’s practices serve as a model. Tailored interventions can enhance public health and environmental outcomes across Latin America. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and collaboration are essential for sustained improvements.

Masculinidad y políticas públicas: la organización de una agenda en México

The main purpose of this communication is to identify, to describe the process of building a public policy agenda that involves men in the construction of equality with women, and to recognize the perception of those who participated in it. It conceived the process as an organization with its own dynamics. A descriptive research about ethnographic approach involved recovery of documentary information of the process, interviews with participants in the construction of the agenda and a workshop. Results are presented in a timeline involved papers to prepare work meetings; profiles of potential participants were identified, the work to be developed was outlined and the respective call for in-person and virtual meetings was issued. Participants in the work meetings discussed contents of the agenda and political impact, the requirements to continue the process and the formation of specialized working groups. Elements such as uncertainty, the breaking of agreements and their fixed, the (mis)knowledge of what public policy among others, intervened in the process. As a conclusion, the lessons that emerge from this process are noted.

Envisioning how to advance the MASH field.

Since 1980, the cumulative effort of scientists and health-care stakeholders has advanced the prerequisites to address metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a prevalent chronic non-communicable liver disease. This effort has ledto, among others, the approval of the first drug specific for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH; formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). Despite substantial progress, MASLD is still a leading cause of advanced chronic liver disease, including primary liver cancer. This Perspective contextualizes the nomenclature change from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to MASLD and proposes important considerations to accelerate further progress in the field, optimize patient-centric multidisciplinary care pathways, advance pharmacological, behavioural and diagnostic research, and address health disparities. Key regulatory and other steps necessary to optimize the approval and access to upcoming additional pharmacological therapeutic agents for MASH are also outlined. We conclude by calling for increased education and awareness, enhanced health system preparedness, and concerted action by policy-makers to further the public health and policy agenda to achieve at least parity with other non-communicable diseases and to aid in growing the community of practice to reduce the human and economic burden and end the public health threat of MASLD and MASH by 2030.

Bienestar subjetivo, agenda pública y mejores políticas gubernamentales

This article summarizes and updates information on subjective well-being and its role in the public agenda, design, and evaluation of public policies including its definition, measurement, main findings reported in the literature, and its use in the design-evaluation of public policies and introduction into government agendas. A narrative literature review was conducted, its results show that subjective well-being is a tool used to guide public action in developed countries; however, in Latin America, knowledge about it and its role in government is new and fragmented. In some countries, progress has been made by constant measurement through the national statistical agencies, but its incorporation into government performance is scarce.

Public Policy Agenda in a Turbulent World

The world is experiencing dramatic transformations determined by political and economic shifts in the roles of the West and the East, the North and the South. These changes pose huge challenges on the global and national levels, testing international institutions and national governments and creating crises on all levels and in different spheres. The article examines how the public policy agenda is changing under permanent shocks. The author comes to the conclusion that the public policy agenda is under the pressure of short-term and emergency-oriented tasks in expense of strategic issues, but in order to provide sustainable development, the governments should support long-term projects, internal social coherence and external mutual dialogue, using the most advanced tools of social and natural sciences, as well as the opportunities of digitalization. Only this proactive, but careful and civilizationally grounded approach will provide peaceful solution of current and future challenges.

The Latin American Integration Route (RILA), in the face of the UN 2030 Agenda

The Latin American Integration Route (RILA), or bioceanic corridor, is a project aiming to integrate Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) with the Ports of Northern Chile. The city of Porto Murtinho (MS), located on the banks of the Paraguay River, is where a bridge is being built to connect this city to the municipality of Carmelo Peralta, in Paraguay. The challenge is that this corridor is not only a catalyst for development, expanding its benefits beyond the already consolidated export sectors, but that it also opens up opportunities for the promotion of intra-regional trade, tourism, culture, education, in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG. This article aims to discuss the RILA in view of the UN 2030 Agenda, from a debate on the concept of development. This is a qualitative study, conducted in the SciELO database and in documents from ECLAC, IPEA, among others. Bardin's content analysis methodology was adopted for data discussion. It is concluded that the development promised by Brazilian governments with RILA must be an inclusive and sustainable development to bring prosperity and peace to everyone and not just to grain, cellulose, and meat exporters. And that the authorities of Porto Murtinho, through their public policy agendas, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, develop programs aimed at workers, so that they can work in the jobs that will emerge.Keywords: RILA; SDG; sustainable development; work; Income.

Contested and Evolving Pandemic – A Follow-up Study on National Policymakers’ Interpretations

Abstract Background The prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that perceptions of the crisis change over time. In this follow-up study we explore how national level policymakers interpret COVID-19 pandemic as a past, present, and future event and crisis. By doing so the contested nature of pandemic governance reveals, i.e. that the interpretations of the on-going crisis shape the policy choices and health system response. National policymakers have been demanded to make sense of emergent and ambiguous events and to form public health actions accordingly. Different interpretations on pandemic have been in core of pandemic governance and have influenced public policy and pandemic responses. Methods We applied a qualitative follow-up research design. Study informants were identified by purposive sampling by their position as central government pandemic policymakers in Finland. The semi-structured interviews were collected in 2021 (n = 21) after the first two pandemic waves, and in winter 2022-2023 (n = 16) after full vaccinations of the population. Results Three interpretations of COVID-19 were identified: Underlining the hard work needed to overcome the crisis, pandemic as a past event was framed through undeniable success. As an ongoing crisis, pandemic was discussed as having become mundane and less important on the public health agenda. As future crisis the pandemic was merged into a continuum of other (non-public health related) crises instead of being reflected solely from health perspectives. Conclusions The way of interpreting a crisis has significant influence on public policy. Prolonged pandemic showed contested nature of public health crisis in general public policy agenda; and its’ ending was not represented as clear cut, as it dissolved and was entwined into other crises and agendas. Crisis interpretations effect on future, since they profoundly affect how crises responses, future pandemic preparedness, policies or evaluation of effects are framed and formed. Key messages • Conceptions on COVID-19 crisis evolve in time and they effect policies to be formed. • Contested nature of pandemic draws attention from solely public health policies into continuum of crises on public policy agenda.

Para além do Racismo Institucional? Uma análise do conteúdo da Política de Saúde para a População Negra

Abstract The concept of Institutional Racism (IR) gained emphasis in the late 1990s and the 2000s. It became one of the central terms in the discussion on racism and the Black Population Health. In Brazil, this category hegemonically influences the understanding of racism in health studies and debates. This qualitative case study paper analyzes the incorporation of the IR concept in Brazil in implementing the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population. Government documents from the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Applied Economic Research were analyzed. Although the formal inclusion of the discussion about IR in the public policy agenda in the early 21st century is a great achievement, apprehending this fact in isolation disregards the dialectical interaction between individual, institutional, and structural forms in the racialization dehumanizing process. Thus, combating IR depends on facing the reasons that lead institutions to reproduce racism and its consequences on access to housing, work, education, and health services and actions.

Beyond Institutional Racism? An analysis of the content of the Black Population Health Policy.

The concept of Institutional Racism (IR) gained emphasis in the late 1990s and the 2000s. It became one of the central terms in the discussion on racism and the Black Population Health. In Brazil, this category hegemonically influences the understanding of racism in health studies and debates. This qualitative case study paper analyzes the incorporation of the IR concept in Brazil in implementing the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population. Government documents from the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Applied Economic Research were analyzed. Although the formal inclusion of the discussion about IR in the public policy agenda in the early 21st century is a great achievement, apprehending this fact in isolation disregards the dialectical interaction between individual, institutional, and structural forms in the racialization dehumanizing process. Thus, combating IR depends on facing the reasons that lead institutions to reproduce racism and its consequences on access to housing, work, education, and health services and actions.

Unmasking the Mask Issue on Reddit: An Investigation of Online Public Deliberation around the Mask Controversy in the United States

The aim of this investigation was to explore U.S. Americans’ mask attitude and their public deliberation processes on Reddit during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the assistance of “Key Features of Deliberative Conversation and Discussion” variables developed by Gastil and Black, the current project used content analysis method to analyze 524 Reddit posts on mask-wearing issues during two time periods of 2020 (February–March and July). The results showed that Reddit users’ attitude changed over time and there was a significant association between user attitude and most analytical and social deliberation process except for creating information base. The above results were generally supported when different time periods were considered. The present study also revealed that at the time of great uncertainty, users demonstrated a “deficit mode,” which results from expertise knowledge deficits and calls for expert enhancement in information dissemination and problem-solving. Besides the positive correlation between public attitude and policy agenda, there was a general lack of interest in social factors, thus harming the quality of online public deliberation processes. Limitations and implications were discussed.

Uneven development, competitiveness and behavioural economic geography: Addressing ‘levelling up’ policies from a human perspective

AbstractThis paper draws on behavioural economic geography to identify the factors affecting uneven development. It uses the lens of economic competitiveness and addresses the association between differences in human behavioural traits and competitiveness in the context of localities across the United Kingdom. It focusses on the policy requirement for ‘levelling up’ by improving the performance of lagging localities. On the basis of the finding that local behavioural factors impact competitiveness, the paper develops a behavioural public policy agenda. It is concluded that a greater appreciation of the human behavioural profile of a place can provide a vital cog in stimulating economic development through a more holistic approach to public policy.

Leprosy and tuberculosis control scenario of the national program for the improvement of access and quality of primary care in Brazil

BackgroundIn Brazil, despite advances in public health policies aimed at eliminating and controlling infectious and parasitic diseases, the incidence of neglected diseases is still high. The epidemiological scenario in Brazil of diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy evidences a public policy agenda that has not been resolute in terms of control, nor in terms of elimination.ObjectiveTo analyze the actions of diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in the context of primary health care.MethodsIn this ecological study, data from the third cycle of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care were extracted from electronic address of the Primary Health Care Secretariat of Brazil in the area of Actions, Programs and Strategies. A total of 37,350 primary health care teams were that answered the questionnaire were eligible, with variables extracted from leprosy and tuberculosis control actions. The municipalities were grouped according to the characteristic of the Brazilian municipality. The partition chi-square and the Residuals Test were used to assess whether there was a difference in the proportion of tuberculosis and leprosy actions between types of municipalities. Statistics were carried out using Minitab 20 and Bioestat 5.3.ResultsRegarding the leprosy treatment location, there is a higher proportion of people referred to be treated at the reference in adjacent rural (p = 0.0097) and urban (p < 0.0001) municipalities; monitoring of people with leprosy referred to the service network (p. = 0.0057) in remote rural areas. Lower proportion of teams requesting bacilloscopy in remote rural areas (p = 0.0019). Rural areas have a higher proportion of teams that diagnose new cases (p = 0.0004). Regarding the actions of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. There is a higher proportion of teams that carry out consultations at the unit itself in rural areas when compared to adjacent intermediaries (p = 0.0099) and urban (p < 0.0001); who requested sputum smear microscopy in adjacent intermediaries (p = 0.0021); X-ray in adjacent intermediaries (p < 0.0001) and urban (p < 0.0001); collection of the first sputum sample in urban (p < 0.0001) and adjacent rural areas (p < 0.0001); directly observed treatment (p < 0.0001) in adjacent rural municipalities.ConclusionThere are inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis among the types of municipalities.

Estudos políticos e jurídicos para a construção de políticas públicas com uma abordagem em direitos humanos na Colômbia

This paper exposes the role played by the interaction between political and legal studies for the construction of public policies in Colombia by considering human rights approaches. The political and the legal, when shifting from the individual hierarchical sphere to another of complementary functional nature, weigh the construction of public policies with a rights approach. Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory methods were employed to understand the theoretical role of the political and the legal in the development of public policy agendas, meanwhile, the methodological part was based on the directives, guides, or guidelines of public policies with human rights approaches. A review is made on the state of the art of political and legal studies for the construction of public policies; the evaluation of the criteria of public policies with a focus on human rights based on political and legal studies, and the role played by political and legal studies in the construction of public policies with a focus on human rights in Colombia. An attempt was made to resume the idea of putting rights-based approaches and political-legal governance at the service of democracy under the capacity of the conjugation of political and legal studies with public policies, rights approaches, and political-legal governance.

A decade of biodiversity conservation: insights into corporate social responsibility in an emerging market context

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether Brazilian companies have increased their reporting on biodiversity within the past decade and whether reporting practices are linked to the government's stance on environmental protection, media coverage and industry biodiversity risk.Design/methodology/approachUsing content analysis and ordinary least squares regression models, the authors examine sustainability reports from Brazilian listed and non-listed companies from 2010 to 2020.FindingsThis study’s empirical analysis indicates that companies have decreased their reporting on biodiversity over the decade. Findings suggest that biodiversity reporting is associated with the level of scrutiny from external constituents, such as industry biodiversity and the president's own public policy agenda and partially by media coverage.Originality/valueThe literature seems to lack an understanding of how political factors may drive social and environmental reporting practices, especially biodiversity reporting. This study addresses this issue by examining the relationship between the government's stance on environmental protection. By focusing on biodiversity reporting in an emerging country like Brazil, this study also generates insights into a highly impactful yet under-researched context.

Upstream Policy Changes to Improve Population Health and Health Equity: A Priority Agenda.

Policy Points Upstream factors-social structures/systems, cultural factors, and public policy-are primary forces that drive downstream patterns and inequities in health that are observed across race and locations. A public policy agenda that aims to address inequities related to the well-being of children, creation and perpetuation of residential segregation, and racial segregation can address upstream factors. Past successes and failures provide a blueprint for addressing upstream health issues and inhibit health equity.

FILM COMMISSION MODEL AS A STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE TAMPICO-MEXICO METROPOLITAN AREA

This article presents a Film Commission (FC) model as an alternative with the potential to contribute to the economic development of the Metropolitan Area of Tampico, Mexico (MAT). The proposal is theoretically based on approaches to economic development with a regional approach and the potential impact of film commissions based on different international studies. The model is the product of a questionnaire made up of the opinion of eight experts who have worked closely with these projects in Mexico, applied through in-depth interviews with 69 individuals considered as living or social forces of the region, analyzing five dimensions: audiovisual infrastructure, service infrastructure, human and material resources, monumental heritage and the existing possibilities, according to the opinion of the public and private sectors. Based on the results, stakeholders are interested and consider that creating a FC would be very positive for the MAT because it would boost audiovisual infrastructure, economic growth, visibility and image improvement, induced tourism, and positioning within international markets. Furthermore, it would promote productive linkages“forwar” and“backward” contributing to consolidating regional growth and development dynamics. Beyond the academic aspect, our work can contribute to the public policy agenda, given that the proposed model is not part of current official development policies.