Health Policy Analysis: Fundamental Concepts and Research Utilities

Abstract

Health policy analysis can be categorized into 2 major groups: analysis for policy and analysis of policy. Regarding the latter, the application of public policy models and theories are helpful to shed light on not only the processes of policy decisions and implementation, but also the roles of key actors or stakeholders and influential contextual factors. This article presents fundamental concepts of health policy studies and the utilities of research in this area.

In analyzing a health policy, apart from its content, researchers should put effort to thoroughly understand the policy actors, processes and context. The issues to be addressed when examining particular individuals and organizations comprise their interests, positions, roles and power concerning the policy involvement. To focus the analysis on policy processes, each stage of the policy may be assessed, namely agenda setting, policy formulation and implementation, whereby appropriate public policy models and theories can be employed in order to get insight into how the policy developed and why it evolved in such a way. Empirical evidence derived from health policy research of this type will be beneficial to the health systems through the drawing of lessons from the past experiences as well as policies implemented in other settings.