OBJECTIVE: To compare municipal politicians' perceptions of health promotion policy and its impact, and whether these perceptions varied according to political variables. METHODS: A mail survey to all municipal politicians (N=195) in four municipalities in Finland. Response rate was 52%. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: The politicians gave 'passable grades' when evaluating health promotion activities and their effectiveness in the municipalities. Three factors in a multivariate model explained 49% of the variance in this evaluation: emphasis on the promotion of health and quality of life of older people, capacity of primary health care and capacity of care for older people. There did not appear to be a consistent view on the local health promotion policies among the politicians. 'Terms in office' was more significant than political party affiliation to explain differences in the policy makers' perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Paying attention to the possible impeding effects of structures, as well as enhancing institutional capacity, could open ways for a stronger focus on health promotion, including community participation, in local councils.
OBJECTIVE: To compare municipal politicians' perceptions of health promotion policy and its impact, and whether these perceptions varied according to political variables. METHODS: A mail survey to all municipal politicians (N=195) in four municipalities in Finland. Response rate was 52%. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: The politicians gave 'passable grades' when evaluating health promotion activities and their effectiveness in the municipalities. Three factors in a multivariate model explained 49% of the variance in this evaluation: emphasis on the promotion of health and quality of life of older people, capacity of primary health care and capacity of care for older people. There did not appear to be a consistent view on the local health promotion policies among the politicians. 'Terms in office' was more significant than political party affiliation to explain differences in the policy makers' perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Paying attention to the possible impeding effects of structures, as well as enhancing institutional capacity, could open ways for a stronger focus on health promotion, including community participation, in local councils.
Authors: Alfred Rütten; Günther Lüschen; Thomas von Lengerke; Thomas Abel; Lasse Kannas; Josep A Rodríguez Diaz; Jan Vinck; Jouke van der Zee Journal: Soz Praventivmed Date: 2003
Authors: Alfred Rütten; Günther Lüschen; Thomas von Lengerke; Thomas Abel; Lasse Kannas; Josep A Rodríguez Diaz; Jan Vinck; Jouke van der Zee Journal: Soz Praventivmed Date: 2003
Authors: Suzanne F Jackson; Fran Perkins; Erika Khandor; Lauren Cordwell; Stephen Hamann; Supakorn Buasai Journal: Health Promot Int Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 2.483