Multi-sectoral health promotion and public health: the role of evidence
Rebecca Armstrong, Research and Training Officer, Cochrane Health Promotion and Public Health Field1
Jodie Doyle, Coordinator, Cochrane Health Promotion and Public Health Field1
Chris Lamb, Student2
Elizabeth Waters, Professor of Public Health1,3
1 Cochrane Health Promotion and Public Health Field, VicHealth, 15–31 Pelham St (PO Box 154) Carlton South VIC 3053, Melbourne, Australia
2 School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Melbourne, Australia
3 Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Melbourne, Australia
Address correspondence to Rebecca Armstrong, E-mail: rarmstrong{at}vichealth.vic.gov.au
Background Evidence-informed health promotion and public health is an emerging and ever-changing theme in research and practice. A collaborative approach to gathering and applying evidence is crucial to implementing effective multi-sectoral health promotion and public health interventions for improved population outcomes. This paper presents an argument for the development of multi-sector evidence and discusses both facilitators and challenges to this process.
Methods Sector-specific contacts familiar with decision-making processes were selected from referrals gained through academic, government and non-government networks and interviewed (in-person or via telephone) as part of a small scale study to scope the use of evidence within non-health sectors where decisions are likely to impact on public health.
Results The views gathered are preliminary, and this analysis would benefit from more extensive consultation. Nonetheless, information gathered from the interviews and literature search provide valuable insights into evidence-related decision-making paradigms which demonstrate similarities with, and differences from, those found in the health sector.
Conclusions Decisions in health promotion and public may benefit from consideration of the ways in which disciplines and sectors can work together to inform policy and practice.
Keywords: evidence, health promotion, multi-sectoral, public health, systematic review