PROPOSED SUBHEADINGS
Title
Executive summary
Description of the health issue
Overview of research
Current and proposed policies
Policy recommendations
References
REPORT
• Your report should be aesthetically pleasing and use
graphs and images.
• Graphs and images should be included within the text and
will not contribute to the word count.
• Including quotations from an authoritative voice can
increase the likelihood of attention being paid to the policy
brief.
– Highlight your opinion piece by using a different colour
or a box so readers can clearly see it is different from
the other evidence.
– You can include a photo of the authority giving the
opinion piece if possible
REPORT – TITLE
• The title should be:
– informative and engaging.
– specific: ensure that you mention the health issue, population,
setting/geography and intended outcome or benefit of your
population.
• Policy titles tend to be
– shorter and more concise than academic titles.
– Focus on the practical implications of the issue being addressed.
– Are aimed at policymakers, government officials, or the general
public.
• Use clear and simple language that is easily understood by
policymakers and the general public.
• May include a call to action or a solution to the problem being
addressed.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Provide a clear and concise overview of the policy
issue and proposed solution.
• It should also be written in a way that is easy to
understand for a non-expert audience.
• Outline your aim and main message
– what you want to say and to whom
– in two to three sentences.
• The aim should address your policy objective.
• Include key messages and recommendations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HEALTH ISSUE
Include a clear description of the health issue you
want policymakers to address.
Describe the problem, why it is important and needs
to be addressed urgently.
Use evidence e.g., epidemiological data and
infographics to support your argument.
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH
Critically analyse and evaluate the evidence
informing your policy choices.
– a concise review of the literature and
how your findings build on it.
– a brief discussion of previous
interventions and why you propose
a specific strategy/intervention for
addressing the problem.
Use graphics and charts if they help better
articulate your messages
CURRENT AND PROPOSED POLICIES
• Use the theories and concepts introduced in this
module to critically analyse and evaluate previous and
existing policies implemented to address the health
issue.
• The policy triangle is a good analytical tool because it
– provides a comprehensive and flexible framework
for analysing the policy-making process.
– can help to identify potential challenges and
opportunities and generate insights that can inform
the design of effective policies.
CURRENT AND PROPOSED POLICIES: CONCEPTS
• Relevant concepts and theories to analyse why current
policies are insufficient and new policies are necessary.
– Luke’s 3 dimensions of power
– Stakeholder analysis
– Agenda setting – reasons for inclusion, Kingdon’s MSA
– Four phases of formulation
– Decision making (rational, incremental and irrational models)
– Implementation – top down and Lipsky’s SLB (bottom up)
approaches
• Describe the proposed policies solutions succinctly.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
The policy proposals should be informed by evidence.
• Recommendation 1: clear, snappy title that clearly tells
your audience what they should do
• Recommendation 2: clear, snappy title that clearly tells
your audience what they should do
• Recommendation 3: clear, snappy title that clearly tells
your audience what they should do
RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC
Public health issues are usually complex and may present
many problems of interest.
For example, malaria may be linked to infant mortality, adult
mortality, environmental pollutants, poverty, lack of awareness
etc.
It may not be feasible and practical to come up with a policy or
policies that addresses all these issues.
Pick one problem you think is a priority or is of particular
interest to your community and focus your policy
recommendation on that specific problem.
REFERENCES : Harvard Style
• Support your work using appropriate
sources where necessary.
• Give the web addresses of publications
and dates for when they were last
accessed if possible.
• You can use footnotes.
