Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Jun 22:15:97.
doi: 10.1186/s12939-016-0384-y.

How to improve collaboration between the public health sector and other policy sectors to reduce health inequalities? - A study in sixteen municipalities in the Netherlands

Ilse Storm  1 , Frank den Hertog  2 , Hans van Oers  3   4 , Albertine J Schuit  5   6
Affiliations

How to improve collaboration between the public health sector and other policy sectors to reduce health inequalities? - A study in sixteen municipalities in the Netherlands

Ilse Storm et al. Int J Equity Health. .

Abstract

Background: The causes of health inequalities are complex. For the reduction of health inequalities, intersectoral collaboration between the public health sector and both social policy sectors (e.g. youth affairs, education) and physical policy sectors (e.g. housing, spatial planning) is essential, but in local practice difficult to realize. The aim of this study was to examine the collaboration between the sectors in question more closely and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Method: A qualitative descriptive analysis of five aspects of collaboration within sixteen Dutch municipalities was performed to examine the collaboration between the public health sector and other policy sectors: 1) involvement of the sectors in the public health policy network, 2) harmonisation of objectives, 3) use of policies by the relevant sectors, 4) formalised collaboration, and 5) previous experience. Empirical data on these collaboration aspects were collected based on document analysis, questionnaires and interviews.

Results: The study found that the policy workers of social sectors were more involved in the public health network and more frequently supported the objectives in the field of health inequality reduction. Both social policy sectors and physical policy sectors used policies and activities to reduce health inequalities. More is done to influence the determinants of health inequality through policies aimed at lifestyle and social setting than through policies aimed at socioeconomic factors and the physical environment. Where the physical policy sectors are involved in the public health network, the collaboration follows a very similar pattern as with the social policy sectors. All sectors recognise the importance of good relationships, positive experiences, a common interest in working together and coordinated mechanisms.

Conclusion: This study shows that there is scope for improving collaboration in the field of health inequality reduction between the public health sector and both social policy sectors and physical policy sectors. Ways in which improvement could be realised include involving physical policy sectors in the network, pursuing widely supported policy goals, making balanced efforts to influence determinants of health inequalities, and increasing the emphasis on a programmatic approach.

Keywords: Health in All Policies (HiAP); Health inequalities; Intersectoral collaboration; Physical sectors; Public health; Social sectors.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Percentage of public health policy staff who collaborate with other sectors in the public health policy network to reduce health inequalities (n = 14)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Percentage of policy staff working to address health inequalities (n = 98)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Percentage of policy staff whose policies aimed at determinants (causes) of health inequality (n = 98)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Percentage of policy staff using various collaboration strategies to reduce health inequalities (n = 98)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Percentage of policy staff with previous experience and context in collaboration (n = 98)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Schrijvers CTM, Storm I. Naar een integrale aanpak van gezondheidsachterstanden. Een beschrijving van beleidsmaatregelen binnen en buiten de volksgezondheidssector [Towards an integrated approach for tackling health inequalities. RIVM: Bilthoven; 2009.
    1. Mackenbach JP, Stronks K. The development of a strategy for tackling health inequalities in the Netherlands. Int J Equity Health. 2004;3(1):11. doi: 10.1186/1475-9276-3-11. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. RIVM . Towards a healthier Netherlands. Key findings of the Dutch Public Health Status and Foresight study (PHSF) Bilthoven: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM); 2014.
    1. Pharos, Platform31. Stimuleringsprogramma Gezond in de stad (GIDS) [National support programme Health in the city] http://www.gezondin.nu/. Accessed oktober 2015.
    1. Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Leveling up Part 2: a discussion on European strategies for tackling social inequities in health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe; 2006.

Publication types