Methods of policy monitoring in physical activity promotion: a systematic review across different levels of government

Messing S, Tcymbal A, Abu-Omar K, Richardson D, Gelius P (2022)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Abstract of lecture

Publication year: 2022

Book Volume: 32(Suppl 3)

Conference Proceedings Title: European Journal of Public Health

Event location: Berlin DE

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.269

Abstract

Background

Even though the importance of policy monitoring in public health has increased in the last decades, there is still a lack of understanding what different approaches of policy monitoring exist and which methodology they employ. In order to address this research gap, this review attempts to provide a comprehensive overview about the methods of policy monitoring in the field of physical activity promotion.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in five scientific databases, using the terms “physical activity”, “policy” and “monitoring” and their variations. In total, 12.963 studies were identified and, after the elimination of duplicates, screened independently by two reviewers. During full text analysis, information on the methods applied for policy monitoring was extracted and studies were categorized based on their key characteristics (monitoring tool, policy level, and setting).

Results

The search yielded in a total of 112 studies that were structured into seven categories: Report Cards on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, HEPA Monitoring Framework, HEPA Policy Audit Tool, national policies, subnational policies, school setting, and childcare setting. Across all categories, policy monitoring focused mainly on national level policies in a single country. Differences were identified with regards to the level of government involvement which allowed to differentiate between research-driven approaches (little or no government involvement), government-driven approaches (led by governments), and co-production approaches (strong collaboration between researchers and governments).

Conclusions

Research-driven, government-driven and co-production approaches have different strengths and weaknesses with regards to the monitoring of policies. Awareness needs to be raised regarding the implications of these approaches, and more research is needed to analyse the impact of policy monitoring on policy-making in public health.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sven Messing Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Antonina Tcymbal Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Karim Abu-Omar Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Diana Richardson Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Peter Gelius Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit

How to cite

APA:

Messing, S., Tcymbal, A., Abu-Omar, K., Richardson, D., & Gelius, P. (2022, October). Methods of policy monitoring in physical activity promotion: a systematic review across different levels of government. Paper presentation at 15th European Public Health Conference: Strengthening health systems: improving population health and being prepared for the unexpected, Berlin, DE.

MLA:

Messing, Sven, et al. "Methods of policy monitoring in physical activity promotion: a systematic review across different levels of government." Presented at 15th European Public Health Conference: Strengthening health systems: improving population health and being prepared for the unexpected, Berlin 2022.

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