From healthy public policy to intersectoral action and health-in-all policies

Abstract

This chapter outlines the rationale for use of the Health-in-All Policies (HiAP) approach for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and reviews successes and failings related to healthy public policy (HPP) and intersectoral action. As a governance innovation, the HiAP approach addresses health equity and social determinants of health. Such an approach aims to create the enabling conditions for intersectoral action as well as provide a framework for HPP on specific risk factors. The HiAP approach recognises the need for comprehensive policy action in sectors other than health, at all levels of government as well as private partnership and civil society and at multiple levels, in order to curb the increasing prevalence of chronic disease. The chapter considers suggestions about how HiAP can be used to address health inequities and risk factors and determinants of chronic disease and concludes with lessons as governments begin to adopt HiAP.