Health Policy Analysis and Development

Abstract

This module examines the health policy development and in particular the functions of health policy analysis in the policy-making process. The module starts with a short overview of the historical background of policy analysis, which shows that the aim of policy analysis, today as in the past, has been to provide policymakers with information that can be used to solve practical problems. The module continues with a description of the policy development in the health sector. Although policy analysis is an intellectual activity, it is also embedded in a social and political process known as policymaking. Health policies are important because it is what gives content to the practices of the health sector. Policies are expressed in a whole series of practices, statements, regulations and even laws which are the result of decisions about how we will do things.