Drivers Of Policy Change Research Articles

Harmonising minds and culture: Exploring the role of music in mental health awareness through activism in Nigeria

Mental health issues in Nigeria are pervasive, yet the stigma surrounding them limits open discussions and access to care. Music artists, activists, and therapists have emerged as key advocates, using music as a platform to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions. This study explored the role of Nigerian music and activism in shaping mental health discourse, highlighting their contributions to public awareness and understanding. Additionally, the study examined how music and activism could influence mental health policies in the country. A qualitative approach was used, involving in-depth interviews with seven participants, including Nigerian musicians and therapists engaged in mental health advocacy. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes related to mental health awareness, advocacy, and the intersection of music and activism. Findings revealed that while music is a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering emotional expression, it has had limited impact on policy change. Themes of resilience, inclusivity, and advocacy emerged as significant, showing how music influences public perceptions. However, participants emphasized the need for government involvement to translate public awareness into effective mental health policies. While music has proven effective in generating awareness and reducing stigma, its ability to drive policy changes remains limited.

Teaching social inclusion, public policy and governance through active learning and educational games

How can an active learning approach enhance how key topics in public policy, public administration, and governance are taught? This article describes four educational game scenarios that illustrate decision-making processes in social inclusion policies. Various governance aspects can be examined through these games, including accountability reforms, crisis management, challenges in implementing artificial intelligence in social service provision, and market regulation. All these cases have been developed within the framework of the P-Cube project, an Erasmus + project that aims to foster active learning through the use of educational games for teaching public policy. The first case illustrates the effect of regulation on nursing home services, and aims to examine the implications of establishing independent agencies to regulate specific social sectors and the involvement and participation of the market and stakeholders in these regulatory bodies. The second case explores the application of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making in a surveillance system for detecting welfare fraud, in which the main learning objective is to discuss governance implications and consequences for social innovation and inclusion. The third case examines the implementation of alternative solutions for providing school meals to children from low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective here is to explore the role of participatory mechanisms in driving policy change and to identify the factors influencing their degree of effectiveness. The fourth case explores the potential ways of regulating the rights of workers employed in the digital platform-based economy. Our cases target graduate and postgraduate students in political science, public administration, public policy, social policy, and other related fields. They also offer valuable insights for practitioners, specifically public managers at different organizational levels.

A Cross-sectional Study on Utilization of Herbal Medications for Anxiety in the Lebanese Population: Usage Patterns and Implications for Harmonizing Mental Health

Background Anxiety is a highly prevalent mental health issue worldwide, but it is also notably prevalent in Lebanon, where herbal medications and plants are commonly used as complementary or alternative treatments to manage anxiety. Lebanese citizens have undergone various disasters, starting with the economic crisis in 2019, the Beirut port explosion in 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to several mental disorders such as anxiety, unipolar depression, and insomnia. Objective This study aimed to measure the prevalence and patterns of herbal medications and plant usage for anxiety among the Lebanese population, as well as to explore the factors influencing the decision to use herbal remedies, patient perspectives, and potential implications for mental health support. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety and the usage of herbal medications and plants among 501 Lebanese outpatients (General Population) aged 20 years and older at Lebanese community pharmacies within Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, North, Beqaa. Data was collected through personal face-to-face and online structured interviews and surveys, capturing information on herbal medications and plants usage, sources of recommendations, patient perspectives, and perceived efficacy and safety of herbal medications and plants for anxiety. Results The study revealed that anxiety was a prevalent medical condition among Lebanese outpatients, with more than 50% reporting anxiety through various symptoms. Furthermore, 27.34% of Lebanese patients had consumed herbal medications, with a notable proportion advising others to use herbal remedies for anxiety. The sources of recommendations for herbal medication usage included mass media, pharmacists, and personal reading/internet. Additionally, a considerable percentage of patients expressed beliefs in the effectiveness and safety of herbal remedies for anxiety while also indicating a lack of awareness regarding potential side effects. Conclusion The findings of this study underscore the need for increased awareness, education, and regulatory oversight in Lebanese pharmacists regarding anxiety management using herbal medications and plant-based treatments. This includes public education campaigns, healthcare provider training, and regulatory oversight. Prioritizing patient counseling and further research is essential to assess the efficacy and safety of these treatments within the Lebanese context. This integrative approach, blending traditional practices with evidence-based mental health care, could drive policy changes and improve mental health outcomes in Lebanon.

Investigating the association between housing mobility and self-reported adolescent suicidality and mental health.

Suicide continues to be a public health crisis among adolescents in the United States. Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors that lead to death from suicide. Housing stability is an important social determinant of health, and literature has begun to describe how housing instability can affect mental health, as well as suicidal behavior. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between lifetime housing mobility among adolescents and suicidal behavior (both ideation and attempt). This study examines disparities in housing mobility and suicidal behavior to determine whether certain population subgroups are disproportionately impacted. We undertook a cross-sectional study using data from Wisconsin's Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered during the Fall of 2019, which assessed Wisconsin middle and high school students. We find that housing mobility, as measured in the lifetime number of residences, was associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior. We also demonstrate disparities by race, disability status, and sexual orientation. Findings from this study can be used to not only drive change to support students at the school or school district level but also to drive policy change at the societal level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mindful Transportation: A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Accessibility for People with Disabilities in Malaysia

This conceptual paper explores the integration of mindfulness principles into the development of transportation services for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Malaysia. Transportation plays a critical role in promoting inclusivity and enhancing the quality of life for PWDs, yet accessibility remains a significant challenge due to infrastructural barriers, lack of awareness, and limited empathy from service providers. Drawing on the concepts of mindfulness, which are rooted in awareness, empathy, and responsiveness, this paper proposes a framework that emphasizes inclusivity, respect, and collaboration among key stakeholders. The proposed framework emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that incorporates physical accessibility, staff training, and policy reforms. Inclusivity involves modifying infrastructure to meet universal design standards, while empathy requires transport providers to understand the unique challenges faced by PWDs and offer compassionate, tailored services. Responsiveness, a key element of mindfulness, calls for flexible and adaptive transport services that cater to the real-time needs of PWDs, ensuring that they can access public transportation with ease and dignity. By applying this mindful approach, the transportation system can become more accommodating and respectful toward PWDs, thereby reducing social exclusion and improving their mobility. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on disability inclusion and provides actionable strategies for policymakers, transport providers, and disability organizations to work together in creating a more accessible public transportation system. Future research should investigate the practical application of this framework and its potential to drive policy changes that benefit PWDs across Malaysia.

Personalised care for hyperlipidaemia by tailoring shared decision-making toward patient priorities & needs: results from a patient-led study

Abstract Background The European cardiovascular disease community is actively promoting a shift towards delivering more personalized cardiovascular care. This shift requires a reassessment of current clinical approaches, including approaches to shared decision-making. To be effective, shared decision-making should be grounded in factors impacting treatment adherence and oriented toward patient-relevant outcomes. (1)(2) Purpose To learn from people with hyperlipidemia about their experiences, priorities and needs inside and outside the health system, including pathways and barriers to diagnosis, treatment and adherence. These insights can guide healthcare providers (HCPs) in delivering personalised, patient-centred care. Methods A global Steering Committee of patient advocates, cardiology researchers and HCPs guided study design and interpretation. Forty-six individuals with confirmed high cholesterol (51% female) in Brazil, Australia and the US participated in 60-minute interviews. Half of participants were required to have a prior hospitalization for an ASCVD event. Transcripts were analyzed using a team-based approach. Results Participants are described in Picture 1. Across countries, participants described how HCPs can work with patients to personalize care through realistic, individualized care plans. First, HCPs can make patients more comfortable by using plain language (e.g., heart problems not cardiovascular events) and clearly explain the life-threatening dangers of unmanaged LDL-C, a prerequisite for patients to take high cholesterol management seriously. Once the risks are clear, HCPs and patients can co-develop care plans based on attainable, measurable goals. Topics that should be discussed include individual circumstances that may impact care plan adherence, such as competing priorities (e.g., work travel or family obligations), support system, and finances. Other topics include the range of treatments and lifestyle changes, including how these work in tandem. When discussing treatment options, HCPs can address treatment attributes desirable to patients, including convenience, treatment benefits, safety profiles and costs. Convenience attributes reflect participant desires for therapies that come in a form they are comfortable administering (e.g., tablet, injection) combined with a desire to minimize administration frequency. Meaningful treatment benefits include improving laboratory values, avoiding heart-related events and living longer to spend more time with family. Conclusions: This study identified topics patients would like their HCP to include in shared decision-making. It can inform HCP efforts to deliver personalised cardiovascular care. Structural barriers to effective shared decision-making exist in many health systems, including the time HCPs have allotted to appointments, administrative burden and access. Patient advocacy organisations and HCP organisations can partner to drive policy changes to overcome these barriers.Study ParticipantsIllustrative Quotes

Kolaborasi Lembaga Mitra dalam Advokasi Akses Ketersediaan Obat bagi Orang dengan Disabilitas Psikososial di Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat Indonesia

Access to mental healthcare, especially psychopharmacological treatment, for people with psychosocial disabilities (ODDP) remains a significant challenge in Indonesia. Discrepancies between regulations and their implementation, coupled with limited availability of psychiatric medications, pose major obstacles. This research analyzes the collaborative efforts of the Mental Health Association (PJS) and its strategic partners in advocating for increased access to medication for ODDP. The research focuses on the stages of advocacy, the roles of each partner, the collaboration process, and the outcomes of these advocacy efforts. Employing a qualitative approach, this research involved in-depth interviews with PJS officials to explore the roles of partner institutions in advocacy. The findings reveal that PJS has systematically engaged in advocacy, collaborating with various strategic partners such as BPJS Watch, WHO Indonesia, and PDSKJI. This collaborative effort has proven effective in identifying issues, formulating solutions, and driving policy changes. However, challenges such as limited resources and the complexity of the issues persist. The research concludes that collaboration among partner institutions is key to improving access to medication, particularly psychiatric medications, for ODDP. Sustained and measurable advocacy is necessary to ensure that ODDP can obtain equitable and accessible quality mental health services.

Driving policy changes: RISE-Vac lessons learnt and recommendations

Abstract The RISE-Vac project consortium applied evidence-based public health methods to collate, assess, and analyze all the evidence generated through project activities, including literature review and prospective data collection on quantitative and qualitative aspects of vaccine services implementation in prison settings. A multi-sectorial and inter-disciplinary group of experts was set-up including health professionals, statisticians, social scientists and people with lived experience from civil society organisations, health services, prison administrations, academia and international agencies. A set of recommendations, advice, and policy options on how to increase vaccine uptake, targeted to people in prison and using a citizen-centred approach, were developed and tailored to specific needs profiles of different prison population subgroups. Vaccinations to be considered in prison settings were grouped according to target population and/or public health objective into: Seasonal vaccinations and vaccination during outbreak; Childhood life-course vaccinations (booster doses); Vaccinations for cancer prevention; Vaccination for older population groups and people with chronic conditions. In consideration of the diversity of the countries participating in the project, their epidemiological context and available resources and infrastructures, a multi-tiered approach for the development and implementation of models for vaccination services implementation in prison settings was devised, encompassing core vaccinations, such as HBV, Flu, COVID-19 and tetanus, as well as expanded vaccination offer to respond to enhanced health needs and to promote equity of health outcomes, including e.g. HPV vaccination.

Exploring Culture and Sustainability: Community Participation in Indigenous Tourism in Malaysia

Nowadays, Indigenous tourism contributes to the conservation of cultural heritage and further supports sustainable development for Indigenous communities, which ultimately increases socio-economic well-being. By providing unique cultural experiences, Indigenous tourism gives greater recognition and respect for the culture while also economically benefiting. This paper aims to examine how such dynamics operate in the context of Indigenous tourism from the viewpoint and experiences of Indigenous community members who participated in tourism initiatives. Identifying culture as one of the crucial parameters that determine successful outcomes in this field, this study intends to explore how people participate in sustainable development through tourism and close important gaps using a cultural lens. Numerous databases containing scholarly research, including the Emerald Insights, Science Direct, and Web of Science, have been used in this study. As a response to the ever-growing call for inclusive and respectful tourism, this study aims to contribute valuable insights and geographical relevance to defining policy change, practice modifications, or academic pursuits of Indigenous tourism. The result of this study will fill crucial empirical research gaps in terms of how cultural restoration, tourism management, and community participation can be optimized for sustainable development with nuanced voices that are necessary to drive policy change as well as practice modifications.

From clinic to Capitol Hill: Dermatologists driving policy change

From clinic to Capitol Hill: Dermatologists driving policy change

To rule or not to rule? The policy process of the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Indonesia

PurposeThe rising incidence of non-communicable diseases and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption in Indonesia is a concern to the central government. However, the excise tax policy proposal for SSBs, introduced by the Minister of Finance in a 2020 meeting with the Parliament, remains unapproved until 2023. This study analyzes the process and factors influencing stakeholders in managing the implementation of the excise tax policy on SSBs in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Theory (MST), focusing on the problem, policy and politics streams. It employs a qualitative design and combines a literature review and in-depth interviews in data collection. Interviews were conducted with policymakers, civil servants, senior representatives from nongovernmental health and consumer organizations, trade associations and academics in nutrition, health and taxation.FindingsWe identified that policy entrepreneurs have not succeeded in aligning the policy with the ideology of decision-makers and broader government goals. Therefore, the Parliament has not ratified the SSB excise tax policy until 2023. The effectiveness of interventions is expected to be the primary driver of policy adoption. Despite the complexity of this policy process, we conclude that implementing some reinforcing strategies may be necessary to facilitate policy change. In the Indonesian context, other actors who proactively manage potential criticism from multiple stakeholders are needed. The power of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs is expected to navigate political complexities and interests among stakeholders. Support for adopting the SSB excise tax policy will likely rise when framing policy alternatives aligns with decision-makers values, involves coordination between ministries, and has a broad public appeal.Originality/valueDespite the constitutional mandate to regulate levies through legislation, there is no research on policy processes in Indonesia, specifically regarding levies and taxes. Examining the Indonesian institutional context in which a policy process takes place may improve the understanding of the many components of MST under unique conditions, providing insights into the specific factors that drive policy change in certain cases.

The CNN Effect and South Korea’s Humanitarian Response to North Korea: A Media-Driven Policy?

This study explores the intersection of media and policy in inter-Korean relations, focusing on the impact of South Korean media on the government’s response to the North Korean famine. Examining the famine through the “CNN effect” and Robinson’s “policy-media interaction model,” we move beyond simplistic cause-and-effect narratives and assess the media’s potential to drive policy change in a unique context: a divided nation marked by both deep animosity and shared cultural ties. Our analysis reveals that the South Korean media predominantly conveyed informative narratives rather than emotional ones during the coverage of the North Korean famine. We argue that, consistent with the interaction model, the media primarily functioned to solidify societal consensus on humanitarian aid, rather than directly shaping government policy. Robinson’s framework supports this finding, suggesting that media influence diminishes when policy goals are clearly defined, as they were for South Korea’s response to the famine. However, this study also addresses the limitations of Robinson’s model, noting that it may oversimplify media behavior by neglecting crucial cultural, political, and historical factors. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the nuanced dynamics of media, policy, and inter-Korean relations in the face of a humanitarian crisis.

Scenario Planning of IP-Based Financing Scheme Implementation Study on the Animation Creative Industry

This research aims to conduct a strategic review for the future, describe the possibility of an IP-based financing scheme for the animation creative industry, and formulate alternative strategies to overcome the main problem of limited access to financing faced in developing IP-based businesses. The IP-based creative economy financing scheme in Government Regulation Number 24 of 2022 was a breakthrough and legal innovation in the creative economy sector. Providing access to financing credit from financial institutions for creative industries to develop their businesses, but its application has just been implemented. The SWOT approach and Delphi-based scenario planning were adopted to attempt the IP-Based Financing Scheme policy to become a concept that can be implemented in Indonesia and effectively anticipate problems in future policy implementation. Creating a scenario design matrix involves exploratory scenario planning, which begins with identifying two primary driving variables. The critical uncertainties that drive policy changes in future financing schemes for the creative animation industry were Government capacity and social factors. A 2 x 2 scenario matrix framework was built to describe possible future conditions and the implications of each condition so that strategic options are offered for the Government from each scenario implication.

Group emotions and their role in EU foreign policy: a social relational model on how emotions travel between EU member states

ABSTRACT EU foreign policy is highly dependent on EU member states, but we still lack a coherent conceptual framework that does justice to the interdependences and co-constitutive relations between EU countries. Building on relational theory and social psychology, we develop a social relational model about group emotions in the Council that conceptualises under what conditions emotions play a role in EU foreign policy decision-making. We formulate scope conditions detailing when the performance of emotions might allow member states to accumulate relational power (e.g. process power), which can in turn allow for the emergence of group emotions and even drive policy changes. Most notably, we shed light on group dynamics within the Council, determining if and how group emotions inform the EU´s policy response to norm contestation. Our framework helps understand why processes of emotional appraisal, contagion, and emergence might sometimes help propel the EU into action, whereas other times they seem to have little or no effect.

Public Interest Litigation and the Protection of Women against Rape: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has emerged as a powerful tool for social justice, particularly in cases concerning the protection of women against sexual violence. This article provides a comprehensive study of PIL in the context of rape cases, focusing on its impact on legal frameworks, judicial activism, and societal attitudes towards women's rights. The article begins by tracing the historical development of PIL in India and its evolution as a mechanism for addressing systemic issues, including gender-based violence. It then examines landmark cases where PIL has been instrumental in shaping legal precedents and driving policy changes aimed at enhancing the protection of women against rape. Furthermore, the article explores the role of PIL in expanding the definition of rape, enhancing access to justice for survivors, and promoting gender-sensitive reforms in the criminal justice system. It also highlights the challenges and criticisms associated with PIL, including concerns about judicial overreach and the need for balanced decision-making.

TINJAUAN PERUBAHAN KEBIJAKAN PELAYANAN PUBLIK BERBASIS HAK ASASI MANUSIA DI INDONESIA

There have been changes in human rights-based public service policy as efforts to advance human rights and improve service quality in Indonesia. Therefore, this study aims to identify existing changes, factors driving policy changes, policy implementation in the field, and challenges arising in policy implementation. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collected from observations, interviews, and documentation. The results show changes in human rights-based public service policy, including the addition of definitions, human rights principles, scope, stages of forming P2HAM, P2HAM criteria, involvement of academics and civil society in assessments, and no longer focusing on the term 'appreciation' but using the term 'P2HAM Work Unit'. Factors driving public policy changes include the government's responsibility in enforcing human rights, evaluation of existing regulations, and the need for terminological changes. Moreover, the implementation of human rights-based public services in the field is not optimal due to challenges such as inadequate resource availability, absence of sanction regulations, lack of work programs and budget plans, and deviant practices in public service provision. Based on the research results, practical or managerial implications emphasize the importance of adaptation and innovation in policy and operational management to enhance the quality and effectiveness of human rights-based public services.

Paradigmatic stability, ideational robustness, and policy persistence: exploring the impact of policy ideas on policy-making

Abstract In the policy world, the idea of ideational robustness deals with why and how policy elements can be maintained over time and the implications this has for government strategy and activity. Past approaches to ideas and their influence on public policy stressed the disparate roles of multiple policy mechanisms such as path dependency or the nature of policy networks in either driving policy change forward or ensuring persistence of a policy. Ideational robustness on the other hand allows for the possibility of some changes occurring in policy environments and components while motivating cognitive and normative policy ideas are adapted and retained. While ideational persistence has often been identified as a source of policy stability, the possibility that some ideas allow lesser or greater levels of change in policy components while basic policy content remains more or less intact (ideational robustness) is much less well understood. The article reviews the literature on policy change and stability which highlights the influence of different policy processes on overall policy dynamics and the role played by policy learning in promoting ideational robustness. Using evidence from military doctrines and procurement in Canada and Australia, the study finds that the two countries drew different defence policy lessons from the end of the Cold War which contributed heavily to the extent of robustness of their defence policy ideas. The case studies show that ideational robustness is important but also that its study must be combined with that of other policy mechanisms and processes in order to explain overall policy change patterns.

Projecting the Future Pediatric Subspecialty Workforce: Summary and Recommendations.

This article summarizes the findings of a Pediatrics supplement addressing the United States workforce for 15 pediatric subspecialties. It includes results from a microsimulation model projecting supply through 2040; growth is forecasted to be uneven across the subspecialties with worsening geographic maldistribution. Although each subspecialty has unique characteristics, commonalities include (1) the changing demographics and healthcare needs of children, including mental health; (2) poor outcomes for children experiencing adverse social drivers of health, including racism; and (3) dependence on other subspecialties. Common healthcare delivery challenges include (1) physician shortages for some subspecialties; (2) misalignment between locations of training programs and subspecialists and areas of projected child population growth; (3) tension between increasing subsubspecialization to address rare diseases and general subspecialty care; (4) the need to expand clinical reach through collaboration with other physicians and advanced practice providers; (5) the lack of parity between Medicare, which funds much of adult care, and Medicaid, which funds over half of pediatric subspecialty care; and (6) low compensation of pediatric subspecialists compared with adult subspecialists. Overall, subspecialists identified the lack of a central authority to monitor and inform child healthcare provided by pediatric subspecialists as a challenge. Future research on the pediatric subspecialty workforce and the children it serves will be necessary to ensure these children's needs are met. Together, these articles provide overarching and subspecialty-specific recommendations to improve training, recruitment, and retention of a diverse workforce, implement innovative models of care, drive policy changes, and advise future research.

Radical Climate Movements: Associations Between Government Response and Public Support

Numerous movements protest for more restrictive climate policies, sometimes with radical actions, such as road blockades or paint attacks. A German study with 1,132 participants investigated the impact of government responses on public support for such movements using the Last Generation as a case study. Contrary to expectations, highlighting strict government responses did not increase support, particularly among those who felt existing climate policies were inadequate. This may be explained by widespread resentment against the Last Generation; further analyses showed that donations were indeed high when participants perceived the government response as strict and inappropriate but that this perception was rare. The results suggest that radical protests are less suitable for driving policy change when public support for the movement is low, as they may trigger harsh government responses that damage the movement while not contributing to its mobilization.

Reconceptualizing policy change in China: from soft to harder forms of law in the household registration system reform

The conceptualization of policy change has been much discussed in democratic countries with a focus on formal legislation. However, in non-Western contexts, policies change in both formal and informal ways, and these informal mechanisms are challenging to observe. To fill this gap, this article uses the case of China’s policy process, where soft law policies play an increasingly important role in driving policy change. Drawing inspiration from legalization theory in international law, the article creates a novel typology of soft law policies based on dimensions of obligation and enforcement. Next, it compiles and analyzes a unique dataset of soft law policies from the central, provincial, and prefectural governments during the process of Household Registration (Hukou) System reform from 2011 to 2021. The results show that when the central government strengthens the obligation or enforcement dimension of the Hukou reform policy, then provincial and prefectural governments largely follow this policy change. Still, significant variations exist across provinces and prefectures in how they adapt to central policies. The findings highlight the potential of the typology of soft law policies to generate new insights into policy changes across China’s multi-level governance system.