Promoting physical activity through policymaking
The EU-funded REPOPA project (Research into policy to enhance physical activity) set out to contribute to the realisation of HEPA policymaking. REPOPA researchers worked together with policymakers to determine the best method for co-creating policies that takes research evidence into account. Using the evidence-informed policymaking approach, the project team identified issues that help researchers support policymakers. To assess the use of research-based evidence, the project team analysed 20 national, regional and local HEPA policy documents and conducted 79 stakeholder interviews in 6 European countries. It then identified the factors that act as facilitators or barriers to evidence-informed decision-making. Policy game interventions, which were carried out in Denmark, the Netherlands and Romania, showed that a generic game, based on system analyses within three EU countries, can be built. This specific game can be used as an initiator in enhancing the process of cross- and multi-sector evidence-informed (HEPA) policy in (different) EU countries. Tailored, needs-based stewardship interventions via workshops and assistance were carried out in seven municipalities in Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands. These interventions showed that the stewardship approach was useful in enhancing intersectorial collaboration in incorporating research evidence into HEPA policymaking. Based on the policy analysis and interventions, an international Delphi study in six EU countries tested and validated indicators for evidence-informed policymaking. The REPOPA team helped develop national platforms for evidence-informed policymaking, and enhanced policy brief development. It also conducted a survey on the abilities and communication competence among policymakers and researchers respectively in European countries and beyond. Another important project outcome is the online umbrella platform that brings together national platforms for evidence-informed policymaking related to physical activity. These lessons could eventually be transferred to other topics in policymaking, beyond physical activity. In the meantime, any new policies that emerge from this work are poised to make European populations healthier and fitter.
Keywords
Physical activity, policymaking, REPOPA, evidence-informed policymaking, stewardship interventions
