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Investment Decisions on Physical Activity Promotion: A Locality Case Study in Complex Public Health Policy Making

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2021

Sandy Whitelaw  and
Chris Topping
Sandy Whitelaw*
Affiliation:
School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Chris Topping
Affiliation:
DG Health and Wellbeing, Directorate of Public Health, Dumfries, United Kingdom E-mail: Christopher.Topping@dumgal.gov.uk
*
E-mail: Alexander.whitelaw@glasgow.ac.uk
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Abstract

The role of ‘best investment’ methodology in shaping priorities in many health policy areas is becoming increasingly prominent. Whilst this has traditionally been seen as a technocratic exercise, the social and political context of such practices and the constructed nature of decisions are now considered significant. In this context, this article reports on a longitudinal case study of such a process that sought to identify ‘best investments’ in public health interventions related to promoting physical activity. Drawing on a series of conceptual resources, we describe and reflect upon the complex and invested elements that contributed to the grounded decision-making process. In conclusion we suggest the need to adopt a multifaceted and nuanced approach to resource investment decision making, including: deploying a range of appraisal assessment resources; maintaining a long-term processual perspective; involving a variety of stakeholders; accepting and embracing fallibility; and accommodating theoretical and empirical evidence-based principles.

Keywords

Best investmentevidencepolicypublic healthphysical activity
Type
Article
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 22 , Issue 2: THEMED SECTION: Mapping the Shifts in Russian and European Welfare Polities , April 2023 , pp. 243 - 266
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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