Study on the policy implementation effect of serious Illness medical insurance in the ethnic minority autonomous area of Western China

Objective: To evaluate the implementation effect of serious illness medical insurance in Guang Xi Zhuang Autonomous Region of western China. Study design: Through the collection of 2017-2021 Guang Xi serious illness medical insurance specific policy making such as fund usage, serious illness compensation, medical expenses data, and data analysis of a serious illness medical insurance effect. Method: Literature research, Policy text analysis, quantitative data collection method, using Excel and SPSS 19.0 data descriptive statistical analysis and comparative analysis. Results: Serious illness medical insurance has had some effect, e.g., from 2017 to 2021, the utilization rate of serious illness medical insurance fund in Guang Xi was 109.49% and 103.87% respectively, the fund balance rate was -9.45% and -8.54% respectively, and the accumulated balance was -2.3871 million CNY and -70.7955 million CNY. Conclusion: The serious illness medical insurance has reduced the burden of large medical expenses of patients to a certain extent, but the fund is under too much pressure, and there is a payment deficit. The coverage and security of serious illness medical insurance need to be expanded and strengthened, and the cooperation mechanism with commercial insurance institutions should be gradually explored to improve the serious illness medical insurance.

Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la implementación de seguros médicos para enfermedades graves en la Región Autónoma Guang Xi Zhuang, al oeste de China. Diseño del estudio: a través de la recopilación de pólizas de seguro médico específicas para enfermedades graves de la región de Guang Xi entre 2017-2021, como por ejemplo: uso de fondos, compensación por enfermedades graves, datos de gastos médicos y análisis de datos del efecto de seguros médicos para enfermedades graves. Método: investigación de literatura, análisis de textos de políticas públicas, metodología de recolección de datos cuantitativos utilizando Excel y SPSS 19.0, análisis estadístico descriptivo de datos y análisis comparativo. Resultados: el seguro médico para enfermedades graves ha demostrado tener efectos, tales como: entre 2017 y 2021, la tasa de utilización de fondos de seguros médicos para enfermedades graves en Guang Xi fue de 109,49 % y 103,87 % respectivamente, las tasas de saldo del fondo fue de -9,45 % y -8,54 % respectivamente y el saldo acumulado fue de -2,3871 millones de CNY y -70,7955 millones de CNY. Conclusión: El seguro médico para enfermedades graves ha reducido en cierta medida la carga de los grandes gastos médicos de los pacientes, pero al existir un déficit de pagos está bajo demasiada presión. Por ello, es necesario ampliar y fortalecer la cobertura y seguridad del seguro médico para enfermedades graves, y explorar gradualmente mecanismos de cooperación con instituciones de seguros comerciales.

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da implementação de seguro médico para doenças graves na Região Autônoma de Guang Xi Zhuang da China Ocidental. Desenho do Estudo: Através da coleta de políticas específicas de seguro médico para doenças graves de Guang Xi 2017-2021, uso de fundos, compensação por doenças graves, dados de despesas médicas e análise de dados de um efeito de seguro médico para doenças graves. Método: Pesquisa na literatura, análise do texto da política, método de coleta de dados quantitativos usando Excel e SPSS 19.0, análise estatística descritiva de dados e análise comparativa. Resultados: Seguro médico de doenças graves teve um certo efeito. Em 2017 e 2021, a taxa de utilização do fundo de seguro médico para doenças graves em Guang Xi foi 109,49% e 103,87% respectivamente, a taxa de saldo do fundo foi -9,45% e -8,54% respectivamente e o saldo acumulado foi -2,3871 milhões de yuans e -70,7955 milhões de yuans. Conclusão: O seguro médico para doenças graves reduziu o ônus de grandes despesas médicas dos pacientes até certo ponto mas o fundo está sob demasiada pressão e há um déficit de pagamentos. A cobertura e segurança do seguro médico de doenças graves necessitam ser expandidas e fortalecidas, e o mecanismo de cooperação com instituições de seguros comerciais deve ser gradualmente explorado para melhorar o seguro médico para doenças graves.

Implementing front-of-pack nutrition warning labels in Mexico: important lessons for low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) in Mexico. DESIGN: Review of publicly accessible documents, including legislative websites, news sources, and government, intergovernmental, and advocacy reports. Usage of the policy cycle model to analyse the implementation and evaluation stages of Mexico's General Health Law, amended with FOPNL (2019-2022). RESULTS: In October 2019, the government published a draft modification of the Norma Oficial Mexicana (Official Mexican Standard) to regulate and enforce a new FOPNL warning label system. A 60-d public consultation period followed (October-December 2019), and the regulation was published in March 2020 and implementation began in October 2020. An analysis of nine key provisions of the Standard revealed that the food and beverage industry and its allies weakened some original provisions including health claims, warnings for added sweeteners and display areas. On the other hand, local and international public health groups maintained key regulations including the ban on cartoon character advertisements, standardised portions and nutrient criteria following international best practices. Early implementation appears to have high compliance and helped contribute to reformulating unhealthy products. Continued barriers to implementation include industry efforts to create double fronts and market their cartoon characters on social media and through digitalised marketing. CONCLUSION: Early success in implementing the new FOPNL system in Mexico was the result of an inclusive and participatory regulatory process dedicated to maintaining public health advances, local and international health advocacy support, and continued monitoring. Other countries proposing and enacting FOPNL should learn from the Mexican experience to maintain scientifically proven best practices, counter industry barriers and minimise delays in implementation.

Step by Step in Argentina: Putting Abortion Rights into Practice.

In December of 2020, the Argentine Congress legalized abortion through 14 weeks, vastly increasing access to abortion care in the country. The law's passage followed years of advocacy for abortion rights in Argentina - including mass public and civil society mobilization, vocal support from an established pool of abortion providers who offered abortion services under specific legal exceptions prior to the new law, and the growth of community groups such as the Socorristas en Red who provide support for people to self-manage abortions. Aided by ample political will, the number of health facilities offering services increased substantially after the law was passed, and the public visibility around the law has helped assure people seeking abortion that it is their right. Proyecto mirar is an initiative focused on both gathering and using qualitative and quantitative data to inform stakeholders about the progress and obstacles of the law's implementation. In this review, we present an overall summary of the first two years of implementation of the abortion law in Argentina based on proyecto mirar data and contextualized through the historical processes that have contributed to the law's passage and application. While we see increases in abortion services and improved public perception around abortion rights, inequities in access and quality of care persist throughout the country. Specifically, providers in some regions are well trained, while others create obstacles to access, and in some regions health services provide high quality abortion care whereas others provide substandard care. To be sure, the implementation of public policies does not happen overnight; it requires government support and backing to tackle obstacles and solve implementation problems. Our findings suggest that when new abortion laws are passed, they must be supported by civil society and government leaders to ensure that associated policies are well crafted and monitored to ensure successful implementation.

Pathways to policy integration: a subsystem approach.

Researchers in public policy and public administration agree that policy integration is a process. Nevertheless, scholars have given limited attention to political aspects that facilitate or impede integration. This paper aims at filling that gap, by looking at how different theories of the policy process can help in explaining the process of policy integration as shaped by policy subsystems. By building on insights from theories of the policy process, we develop pathways regarding adoption and implementation in policy integration that account for the politicization and the role of actors and subsystems in the policy process. Our main argument is that policy integration is in permanent political tension with the sectoral logic of policymaking, which predominantly happens between actors in subsystems. Policy integration is, thus, not a single moment when those tensions are solved once and for all, but a political process that requires deliberate efforts to overcome the pull toward sector-specific problem definition, policymaking, implementation, and evaluation.

Efeito de mudanças no contexto de implementação de uma política multinível: análise do caso da Reforma do Ensino Médio no Brasil / Efecto de los cambios en el contexto de implementación de una política multinivel: Análisis del caso de la Reforma de la Educación Media en Brasil / Effects of changes in a multi-level implementation context: analysis of the Brazilian High School Reform

Resumo O artigo busca compreender como mudanças exógenas são afetadas pelos contextos de implementação que encontram em cada local. A partir da análise da Lei 13.415/2017, que reforma o Ensino Médio no Brasil, verifica como as mudanças federais trazidas por esta política provocaram alterações nos estados e qual a variação que os contextos locais geraram na própria reforma. O artigo se baseia em uma pesquisa qualitativa que acompanhou os efeitos da publicação da Lei e o início do processo de implementação da reforma nos 26 estados e Distrito Federal ao longo de dois anos. O caso empírico foi analisado a partir das variáveis de conflito e ambiguidade que caracterizam os contextos de implementação. Estes achados contribuem para a literatura de implementação de políticas públicas, de reformas e mudanças na administração pública e de políticas de educação.

Resumen El artículo busca comprender cómo cambios exógenos son impactados por contextos de implementación establecidos en cada lugar. A partir del análisis de la Ley 13.415/2017, que reforma la Educación Media en Brasil, verifica cómo los cambios federales de esta política provocaron alteraciones en los estados y cómo los contextos locales generaron cambios también a la propia reforma. El artículo se basa en una investigación cualitativa que hizo seguimiento a los efectos de la publicación de la Ley y al inicio del proceso de implementación de la reforma en los 26 estados y el Distrito Federal a lo largo de dos años. El caso empírico fue analizado a partir de las variables de conflicto y ambigüedad que caracterizan los contextos de implementación. El artículo contribuye con la literatura de implementación de políticas públicas, de reformas a la administración pública y de políticas de educación.

Abstract The article seeks to understand how exogenous changes are impacted by implementation contexts established in each place. Based on the analysis of Law 13.415/2017, which reforms High School in Brazil, it verifies how the federal changes proposed by this policy caused alterations in the states and how the local contexts also generated changes in the reform itself. The article is based on a qualitative investigation that monitored the effects of the publication of the Law and the beginning of the process of implementing the reform in the 26 states and the Federal District over two years. The empirical case was analyzed based on the variables of conflict and ambiguity that characterize the contexts of implementation. The article contributes to the literature on the implementation of public policies, reforms in public administration, and education policies.

Effect of free trade agreements on pharmaceutical market competition: The case of the 2009 US-Peru free trade agreement and its implementation as national drug policy.

Free Trade Agreements (FTA) are controversial for threatening essential aspects of health, especially access to affordable medicines. The US-Peru FTA required changes in the Peruvian pharmaceutical legislation that resulted in the implementation of the National Drug Policy (NDP) of 2009. The NDP included more robust technical requirements for registration, a Peruvian Good Manufacturing Practices certificate, a longer timeline for drug registration, and an increase in registration fees. This study evaluated the impact of the FTA on the number of registrations and competition in the Peruvian pharmaceutical market. Data for the period January 2005 to April 2014 were provided by the Peruvian drug regulatory authority (Dirección General de Medicamentos, Insumos y Drogas, DIGEMID). A total of 31,114 pharmaceutical products with unique registration numbers were evaluated. Brand drug new registrations decreased from 1789 in 2005 to 455 in 2013, and the number of generic registrations decreased from 621 in 2005 to 114 in 2013. Brand re-registrations also decreased from 714 in 2005 to 58 in 2013. There were 228 brand products awaiting registration in 2009 and 1,908 in 2013. The proportion of products awaiting registration was three times greater for brand than for generic products in 2009-2013. Registration of brand and generic medicines significantly declined after the implementation of the US-Peru FTA in 2009. The decline in the number of registrations was associated with more robust technical requirements, a longer DIGEMID registration timeline, and an increase in registration fees. The stronger registration requirements are expected to increase the quality of the drugs marketed in the country, but also less competition and a reduction in domestic registrations.

Desafios do multiprofissionalismo para a redução de danos em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e outras Drogas / Multi-professionalism related challenges in the implementation of harm reduction strategies at the Center for Psychosocial Attention to Users of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Resumo O artigo aborda a implementação da estratégia de Redução de Danos (RD) por equipes multiprofissionais nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e outras Drogas (Caps AD) do Distrito Federal. A partir dos aportes teóricos dos estudos sobre implementação de políticas públicas e da sociologia das profissões, buscou-se refletir sobre as implicações do multiprofissionalismo para a tradução da RD em ações práticas junto aos usuários dos serviços. Realizou-se pesquisa de campo nas sete unidades de Caps AD do Distrito Federal, onde as atividades cotidianas foram observadas e profissionais foram entrevistados. A análise revelou que: (1) há variação substantiva na forma como os profissionais atuantes nos Caps AD interpretam e praticam a RD; (2) suas diferentes formas de entendimento e ação associam-se à formação profissional em distintos campos de conhecimento (psicossocial versus biomédico); e (3) estas divergências podem resultar em conflitos entre profissionais e implicar consequências negativas para os usuários dos serviços. Discute-se, também, os meios encontrados pelas gerências para a gestão e mitigação destas implicações. Os achados contribuem para reflexões mais amplas sobre os desafios que se impõem à sustentabilidade do modelo de atenção proposto para os Caps AD.

Abstract The article focuses on the implementation of the Harm Reduction strategy by multiprofessional teams in the Centers for Psychosocial Attention to Users of Alcohol and other Drugs (CAPS AD) at the Brazilian Federal District. Based on theoretical propositions from the fields of policy implementation and sociology of professions, it sought to reflect upon the implications of different professional perspectives about the concept of Harm Reduction, and its translation into practice, for the aims of the Ministry of Health Care Policy for Alcohol and Other Drugs Users and its beneficiaries. Our study is supported by empirical research involving qualitative fieldwork on the seven units of CAPS AD in the Federal District. Our findings suggest that: (1) there is substantive variation in the way CAPS AD professionals interpret and practice harm reduction principles; (2) this variation is associated with professional education in distinct fields of knowledge (psychosocial versus biomedical); and (3) divergences among professionals may result in conflicts and produce negative consequences for service users. We also discuss the means by which service managers seek to mitigate those negative implications. These findings contribute to broader reflections on the challenges for sustainability of the Caps AD model.

A implementação do Auxílio Emergencial como medida excepcional de proteção social / La implementación de la Ayuda de Emergencia como medida excepcional de protección social / The Implementation of Emergency Aid as an exceptional measure of social protection

Resumo O Auxílio Emergencial, instituído pela Lei nº 13.982, de 2020, é uma das maiores iniciativas do Governo Federal para minimizar os efeitos econômicos da pandemia do coronavírus (COVID-19) para a parte mais vulnerável da população, entres eles os beneficiários do Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) e os inscritos no Cadastro Único para Programas Sociais do Governo Federal (CadÚnico), cidadãos que já tinham algum tipo de relacionamento com políticas de assistência social. Além desses, o benefício abrange também trabalhadores informais, autônomos e microempreendedores individuais (MEI). Com base na análise documental e por meio de observação direta, este estudo buscou delinear o processo de implementação do Auxílio Emergencial, no âmbito do arranjo estabelecido pelo Ministério da Cidadania (MC), através da abordagem da burocracia de nível de sistema.

Resumen La Ayuda de Emergencia, instituida por la Ley n. 13.982, de 2020, es una de las mayores iniciativas del Gobierno Federal Brasileño para minimizar los efectos económicos de la pandemia de coronavirus (COVID-19) para la parte más vulnerables de la población, entre ellas, los beneficiarios del "Programa Bolsa Família" (PBF) y aquellos inscritos en el Registro Único para Programas Sociales del Gobierno Federal" (CadÚnico), ciudadanos que ya tenían algún tipo de relación con las políticas de asistencia social. Además de estos, el beneficio también abarca a trabajadores informales, autónomos e microempresarios individuales (MEI). Basado en el análisis documental y a través de la observación directa, este estudio buscó esbozar el proceso de implementación de la Ayuda de Emergencia, en el marco establecido por el Ministerio de Ciudadanía (MC), a través del enfoque de burocracia a nivel de sistema.

Abstract Emergency Aid, instituted by Law 13982, of 2020, is one of the biggest initiatives of the Brazilin Federal Government to minimize the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This aid is directed at the most vulnerable population, among them, the beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program "Bolsa Família" (PBF) and those enrolled in the single registry for social protection "Cadastro Único para Programas Sociais do Governo Federal" (CadÚnico). The benefit also covers informal employees, self-employed and individual microentrepreneurs (MEI). Based on documentary analysis and through direct observation, this study sought to outline the process of implementing emergency aid measures, within the framework established by the Ministry of Citizenship (MC), through the system-level bureaucracy approach.

O burocrata de médio escalão na implementação de políticas públicas / El burócrata de nivel medio en la implementación de políticas públicas / Mid-level bureaucrats perception on the implementation of public policies

Resumo Este artigo busca contribuir com os estudos sobre as percepções de Burocratas de Médio Escalão (BMEs) na implementação de uma política pública. Para tanto, analisam-se empiricamente as percepções dos BMEs na implementação do Programa de Apoio a Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais (Reuni) no âmbito da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG). Realizou-se um estudo de caso, mediante pesquisa documental e entrevistas com esses burocratas. Os resultados demonstram a importância de que o BME tenha apoio institucional e preparação técnica e emocional para realizar um bom trabalho. Em termos empíricos, demonstra-se que a UFG não conseguiu atender às metas globais do Reuni, porém, cumpriu a maioria das diretrizes estipuladas pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC) em decreto, com destaque para a ampliação de políticas de inclusão e assistência estudantil, transformando uma universidade "elitizada" em uma universidade "igualitária". De modo unânime, os BMEs reconhecem a grande importância do Reuni na UFG, em termos estruturais e de ensino, e que sua atuação poderia ter sido mais bem desempenhada com suporte e preparação adequados.

Resumen Este artículo se propone contribuir a los estudios sobre las percepciones de los burócratas de nivel medio (BME) en la implementación de políticas públicas. Para ello, se analizan empíricamente las percepciones de los BME en la implementación del Programa de Apoyo a Planes de Reestructuración y Expansión de las Universidades Federales (REUNI) en el ámbito de la Universidad Federal de Goiás (UFG). Se realizó un estudio de caso, con investigación documental y entrevistas con estos burócratas. Los resultados demuestran la importancia de que los BME tengan apoyo institucional, preparación técnica y emocional para hacer un buen trabajo. En términos empíricos, se demuestra que la UFG no logró cumplir los objetivos globales del REUNI, no obstante, cumplió con la mayoría de las directrices estipuladas por el Ministerio de Educación, con énfasis en expandir las políticas de inclusión y asistencia estudiantil, transformando una universidad de "elite" en una universidad "igualitaria". Por unanimidad, los BME reconocen la gran importancia del REUNI en la UFG en términos estructurales y educativos y que su desempeño podría haber sido mejor con el apoyo y la preparación adecuados.

Abstract This article contributes to studies about the perceptions of mid-level bureaucrats on the implementation of public policies. The article empirically analyzes the perceptions of mid-level bureaucrats (MLB) on the implementation of REUNI within the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). A case study was conducted, with documentary research and interviews with MLB. The results demonstrate the importance of institutional support and technical and emotional preparation for MLB to perform appropriately. In empirical terms, the study demonstrates that UFG failed to meet the program's global goals, but has met most of the guidelines set forth by the Ministry of Education, with emphasis on expanding student inclusion and assistance policies, transforming a university that served the elite into an inclusive institution. Unanimously, all MLBs recognize the great importance of REUNI for the UFG in structural and educational terms and that their activities could have been better performed with adequate support and preparation.

Terminal Logic Behavior and Strategic Defection of Governmental Officials during Presidential Transitions in Guatemala: Implications for the Sustainability of Food and Nutrition Security Policy.

BACKGROUND: Presidents with no possibility of re-election overvalue far-future rewards and succumb to terminal logic behavior (TLB), responding to end-of-tenure legacy concerns despite political context. Government authorities perceiving the outgoing government is losing power at the end of term behave under the logic of strategic defection (SD), dissociating from the outgoing government once it is perceived powerless. In countries where re-election is impossible and government turnover and inconstant political parties are concerns, governmental officials at all levels may show TLB and SD during transitions that affect policy sustainability. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand the context during presidential transitions that makes TLB and SD relevant, whether TLB and SD affect sustainability of food and nutrition security policy (FNSP), and the tactics for navigating transitions that favor sustainability. METHODS: A case-study design was used with semi-structured qualitative interviews and document review of news articles in Guatemala. Purposeful criteria and snowball sampling were used to recruit 52 policy actors implementing an FNSP across 2 transitions; 252 news articles from the referenced period covering topics on policy programmatic areas were purposefully sampled. Interviews were analyzed using coding and thematic analyses. News articles were analyzed using a priori thematic coding for verifying themes in interviews and data triangulation. RESULTS: Governmental officials were replaced by others during transitions; political parties were perceived as inconstant. TLB and SD occurred at all levels and had consequences for sustainability of FNSP: implementation slow-down, dysfunctional collaboration, inefficient use of resources, benefits not reaching targeted groups, and loss of momentum. These occurred through individual, institutional, and political mechanisms. Civil society, international organizations, and government adopted tactics for maximizing sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding governmental officials' experiences and the extent to which TLB and SD occur and affect sustainability could be advantageous to develop compensatory actions for reaching long-term FNSP goals.

Serviços Farmacêuticos na Atenção Primária em Saúde à luz do modelo ambiguidade-conflito / Pharmaceutical Services in Primary Health Care in light on the ambiguity-conflict model

Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar os níveis de ambiguidade e conflito em relação aos objetivos e meios necessários à implementação dos Serviços Farmacêuticos (SeFar) no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas-semiestruturadas com 14 atores-chave, realizadas em 2018. Os resultados foram interpretados com base na análise temática de conteúdo e à luz do modelo ambiguidade-conflito de análise de implementação. Quanto aos objetivos dos SeFar, houve alto consenso intracategorias, porém baixo intercategorias. Quanto aos meios, foram identificadas divergências importantes intercategorias e consenso quanto a aspectos relevantes como a insuficiência de recursos financeiros e humanos. Os conflitos identificados resultam especialmente da falta de clareza de outros atores mais afastados do nível local ou de outras categorias profissionais, sobre o papel dos SeFar. Assim, considera-se que houve predomínio de características de "implementação experimental", apresentando alta ambiguidade quanto aos objetivos e meios dos SeFar num ambiente de médio conflito e fortemente dependente dos recursos disponíveis no nível local. Também apresentou alguns atributos de "implementação política", uma vez que em determinadas circunstâncias os resultados sofreram influência do contexto político, condicionados por conflitos em relação aos meios para a consecução dos SeFar.

Abstract This article aims to analyze the levels of ambiguity and conflict regarding the objectives and means required for the Pharmaceutical Services (PharmSer) implementation within the Primary Health Care in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews applied in 2018 with 14 key actors. The results were interpreted based on thematic content analysis and in the light of the ambiguity-conflict model of implementation analysis. Related to the PharmSer aims, we found high consensus intra key actors categories and low inter categories. Related to the means, we found important inter-categories divergences and consensus regarding relevant aspects as insufficient financial and human resources. The conflicts identified result mainly from low clarity of other actors more distant from the local level or other professionals, about role of PharmSer. We conclude for the predominance of "experimental implementation" characteristics, with high ambiguity regarding the objectives and means of the PharmSer, in a medium conflict environment and being strongly dependent on the resources available at the local level. It also presented some attributes of "political implementation", since in certain circumstances the results were influenced by the political context, conditioned by conflicts over the means for achieving the PharmSer.

Discretion, power and the reproduction of inequality in health policy implementation: Practices, discursive styles and classifications of Brazil's community health workers.

This article explores the mobilization of power by health workers during policy implementation, showing how in a context of discretion and resource scarcity they can reproduce inequalities in access to health services. The argument innovates theoretically by supplementing the 'street-level bureaucracy' literature, which emphasizes frontline worker discretion, with a conceptualization of power as domination encompassing the shaping of behavior, the constitution of subjects and the reproduction of inequality. Empirically, the article focuses on Brazilian community health workers (agentes comunitários desaúde, CHWs). CHWs are a neglected but highly important segment of the health workforce that traditionally functions as a link between the health system and disadvantaged groups. The article examines how Brazilian CHWs act as street-level bureaucrats mobilizing power in their interactions with users. They operate within a severely under-resourced public health system, the Sistema Único de Saúde, which places constraints upon their action and forces them to make allocation decisions with little training and support. The article highlights the ways in which inequalities in access to health services are reproduced (inadvertently or not) through the practices, discursive styles and classifications of CHWs. Methodologically, the paper is based on ethnography with 24 CHWs and interviews with 77 other CHWs in Brazil.

The INFORMAS healthy food environment policy index (Food-EPI) in Mexico: An assessment of implementation gaps and priority recommendations.

Mexico is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of obesity and recently declared a national epidemic of diabetes. Healthy food environments have the potential to improve the diet of the population and decrease the burden of disease. The aim of the study was to assess the efforts of the Mexican Government towards creating healthier food environments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). The tool was developed by the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS). Then, it was adapted to the Latin-American context and assessed the components of policy and infrastructure support. Actors from academia, civil society, government, and food industry assessed the level of implementation of food policies compared with international best practices. Actors were classified as (1) independents from academia and civil society (n = 36), (2) government (n = 28), and (3) industry (n = 6). The indicators with the highest percentage of implementation were those related to monitoring and intelligence. Those related to food retail were rated lowest. When stratified by type of actor, the government officials rated several indicators at a higher percentage of implementation compared with independent actors. None of the indicators were rated at high implementation. Government officials and independent actors agreed upon nine priority actions to improve the food environment in Mexico. These actions have the potential to improve government commitment and advocacy efforts to create healthier food environments.

A implementação do programa de saúde específico para a população em situação de rua - Consultório na rua: barreiras e facilitadores / The implementation of the Brazilian health program for the homeless population - Consultório na Rua: obstacles and advantages

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar as razões da baixa adesão à implementação do programa de saúde específico para a população em situação de rua - Consultório na Rua - pela maioria dos municípios elegíveis. A partir da literatura contemporânea de determinantes da implementação de políticas públicas, a pesquisa, de caráter exploratório-descritivo, utiliza análise de conteúdo em documentos oficiais e, sobretudo, entrevistas com gestores federais e a aplicação de questionários aos gestores de municípios em ambas as situações, aderentes e não aderentes ao programa. Sob a ótica do governo federal, os resultados da investigação sugerem que a implementação do programa foi influenciada positivamente pelo alinhamento com uma política pública maior, com mais recursos e priorização governamental, embora as restrições fiscais, a partir de 2015, e as fragilidades do pacto federativo se apresentem como principais barreiras. Do ponto de vista dos gestores locais, as evidências empíricas demonstram percepções diferentes entre os municípios aderentes ao programa e os que não aderiram, porém há convergências quanto a relevância de um contexto favorável, do legado de políticas prévias e de fatores relacionados às competências e capacidades das prefeituras como determinantes à participação no programa Consultório na Rua.

Abstract The paper's main goal is to investigate the determinants of the adherence to a federal health program focused on homeless population - named Consultório na Rua - by eligible municipalities. Grounded on the contemporary literature of determinants of policy implementation, the exploratory and descriptive research employs official documents analysis, interviews with federal managers and a survey with local government managers, from the cities that joined the program and from the cities that didn't. Through the perspective of the federal government, the research results suggest that the implementation of the program was positively influenced by the alignment with a larger public policy, which has more funds and priority from the government, in spite of the fiscal restrictions, since 2015, and the weaknesses of the federative pact. On the other hand, the empirical evidences of the local managers' views demonstrate differences between these two groups of municipalities, however there are convergences towards the fact that favorable context, legacy of prior policies and aspects of competences and capacities of the local governments are determinants to the program adherence.

"Five hundred years of medicine gone to waste"? Negotiating the implementation of an intercultural health policy in the Ecuadorian Andes.

BACKGROUND: In Ecuador, indigenous women have poorer maternal health outcomes and access to maternity services. This is partly due to cultural barriers. A hospital in Ecuador implemented the Vertical Birth (VB) policy to address such inequities by adapting services to the local culture. This included conducting upright deliveries, introducing Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and making physical adaptations to hospital facilities. METHODS: Using qualitative methods, we studied the VB policy implementation in an Ecuadorian hospital to analyse the factors that affect effective implementation of intercultural health policies at the local level. We collected data through observation, in-depth interviews, a focus group discussion, and documentation review. We conducted 46 interviews with healthcare workers, managers, TBAs, key informants and policy-makers involved in maternal health. Data analysis was guided by grounded theory and drew heavily on concepts of "street-level bureaucracy" to interpret policy implementation. RESULTS: The VB policy was highly controversial; actors' values (including concerns over patient safety) motivated their support or opposition to the Vertical Birth policy. For those who supported the policy, managers, policy-makers, indigenous actors and a minority of healthcare workers supported the policy, it was critical to address ethnic discrimination to improve indigenous women's access to the health service. Most healthcare workers initially resisted the policy because they believed vertical births led to poorer clinical outcomes and because they resented working alongside TBAs. Healthcare workers developed coping strategies and effectively modified the policy. Managers accepted these as a compromise to enable implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Although contentious, intercultural health policies such as the VB policy have the potential to improve maternity services and access for indigenous women. Evidence-base medicine should be used as a lever to facilitate the dialogue between healthcare workers and TBAs and to promote best practice and patient safety. Actors' values influenced policy implementation; policy implementation resulted from an ongoing negotiation between healthcare workers and managers.

Tobacco control law implementation in a middle-income country: Transnational tobacco control network overcoming tobacco industry opposition in Colombia.

The objective of this paper is to examine the implementation of Colombia's tobacco control law. Methods involved are triangulated government legislation, news sources, and interviews with policy-makers and health advocates in Colombia. Colombia, a middle-income country, passed a tobacco control law in 2009 that included a prohibition on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and required pictorial health warning labels, ingredients disclosure, and a prohibition on individual cigarette sales. Tobacco companies challenged the implementation through litigation, tested government enforcement of advertising provisions and regulations on ingredients disclosure, and lobbied local governments to deprioritise policy responses to single cigarette sales. A transnational network including international health groups and funders helped strengthen domestic capacity to implement the law by; promoting public awareness of Ley [Law] 1335; training local health department staff on enforcement; facilitating health agencies' sharing of educational strategies; and providing legal defence assistance. This network included vigilant efforts by local health groups, which continuously monitored and alerted the media to noncompliance, engaged government officials and policy-makers on implementation, and raised public awareness. Support from international health NGOs and funders and continuous engagement by local health groups enhanced implementation capacities to counter continued tobacco industry interference and ensure effective tobacco control implementation.

Implementação de políticas como processo social: agentes, estruturas, discurso e arenas de poder / Policy implemention as a social process: agents, structures, discourse and arenas of power

Esse artigo de revisão tem como objetivo central identificar osconceitos essenciais para gestores de política pública relacionadosà implementação de políticas. Para o cumprimento do objetivo, ométodo utilizado é o de revisão conceitual de literatura, sendo que aescolha das obras para revisão tem como origem os esforços de sínteseapresentados por Hall e Taylor (1996), Hill e Hupe (2002), Barrett(2004), Saraiva e Ferrarezi (2006) e Bertelli (2012). A questão centralque une todas as obras identificadas é a debatida por Pressman eWildavsky (1973), sobre porque os resultados frequentemente diferemdos objetivos da política pública. Para organizar a revisão das diversasabordagens propostas pelos autores identificados, o artigo se inspira nodebate proposto por Giddens (1979, 1984) sobre Agente (burocracia)e Estrutura (instituições), além de dois elementos ligados ao processode estruturação, Discurso (argumentação) e Arenas de Poder (tipo depolítica). Como resultados, a revisão proposta pelo artigo identifica vintee três conceitos essenciais para os gestores de políticas. A conclusãodo artigo discute a importância do ensino e debate dos conceitos eteorias sobre implementação de políticas para o processo democráticono Brasil, bem como o desafio de construir conhecimento a partir daprática e experiência.

The main objective of the review article is to identify the key conceptsin policy implementation for public policy managers. To reach theobjective, the chosen method is the conceptual literature review. Thesampling process of the academic pieces to be reviewed is limited bythe references presented in Hall and Taylor (1996), Hill and Hupe(2002), Barrett (2004), Saraiva and Ferrarezi (2006), and Bertelli(2012). The main research question that unifies all the academic piecesunder review comes from the seminal study presented by Pressman eWildavsky (1973), about why the policy results frequently differ fromthe objectives. As a guide to organize and filter the various theoretical approaches contained in the texts under review, the article drawsfrom the methodological debate proposed by Giddens (1979, 1984)about Agent (bureaucracy) and Structure (institutions), as well as fromtwo elements closely related to the structuration process, discourse(argumentation) and arenas of power (policy type). As results, thearticle identifies twenty-three core concepts for public policy managers.The final remarks recall the importance of teaching and debating theconcepts and theories of policy implementation to the democraticprocess in Brazil, as well as the challenge of learning from the experienceand practice.

The convention on the rights of persons with disabilities UN: analysis of the implementation in Andalucía (Spain) of article 33 / La convención sobre los derechos de las personas con discapacidad de la ONU: análisis de la aplicación del artículo 33 en Andalucía (España)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a major human rights instrument of the United Nations with the goal of ensuring protection of rights of persons with disabilities. In Article 33, ‘National implementation and monitoring’ establishes, among other things, that States Parties shall implement the Convention and establish or designate a coordination mechanism at government level. This article aims to show the results of implementing Article 33 in Andalucía (Spain) in the context of the European project ‘Planning Inclusive Communities’ led by the University of Siegen (Germany). The methodology used in this study was based on a comparative analysis of data obtained through a series of surveys addressed to local governments in different European regions. This article shows the results obtained in Andalucía region where the Convention is disseminated in various formats, at local levels it shows a low presence, because ratification have neither led to a legal obligation at lower state levels. Local managers showed disregard for the principles of the Convention and its practical application. This lack of information at local level influences the methods that Spanish occupational therapists (OT) use with persons with disabilities in occupational centers (OC).

La Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de las Personas con discapacidad es un importante instrumento de derechos humanos que tiene como objetivo garantizar la protección de los derechos de las personas con discapacidad. En el artículo 33, ‘Aplicación y seguimiento nacional‘ se establece, entre otras cosas, que los Estados deben aplicar los artículos de la Convención y establecer o designar un mecanismo de coordinación a nivel gubernamental. Este artículo tiene como objetivo mostrar los resultados obtenidos en Andalucía (España) de la aplicación del artículo 33 dentro del proyecto europeo `Planning Inclusive Communities‘ dirigido por la Universidad de Siegen (Alemania). La metodología seguida en este estudio se basó en un análisis comparativo de los datos obtenidos a través de una serie de encuestas dirigidas a gobiernos locales de diferentes regiones europeas. Este artículo muestra los resultados obtenidos en la región de Andalucía, en la cual la Convención se difunde en una gran variedad de formas. A nivel local, la Convención se muestra con una presencia baja debido a que la ratificación no ha conllevado una obligación legal en los niveles administrativos más bajos. Los gerentes locales mostraron un cierto desconocimiento de los principios de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas y su aplicación práctica. Esta falta de información a nivel local influye en los métodos que los terapeutas ocupacionales (TO) españoles utilizan con las personas con discapacidad en los centros ocupacionales (CO).

Implementation of public policy on alcohol and other drugs in Brazilian municipalities: comparative studies.

One of the challenges with respect to public health and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs is to implement policies in support of greater co-ordination among various levels of government. In Brazil, policies are formulated by the Secretaria Nacional de Políticas sobre Drogas (SENAD - State Department for Policies on Drugs) and the Ministério da Saúde (MS - Ministry of Health). This study aims to compare implementation of policies adopted by SENAD and MS at the municipal level. Three municipalities were intentionally selected: Juiz de Fora having a larger network of treatment services for alcohol and drug users; Lima Duarte, a small municipality, which promotes the political participation of local actors (COMAD - Municipal Council on Alcohol and Drugs); and São João Nepomuceno, also a small municipality, chosen because it has neither public services specialised to assist alcohol and other drugs users, nor COMAD. Data collection was conducted through interviews with key informants (n = 19) and a review of key documents concerned with municipal policies. Data analysis was performed using content analysis. In Juiz de Fora, there are obstacles regarding the integration of the service network for alcohol and other drug users and also the articulation of local actors, who are predominant in the mental health sector. In Lima Duarte, while there is a link between local actors through COMAD, their actions within the local service network have not been effective. In São João Nepomuceno, there were no public actions in the area of alcohol and drugs, and consequently insufficient local debate. However, some voluntary, non-governmental work has been undertaken. There were weaknesses in the implementation of national-level policies by SENAD and the MS, due to the limited supply of available treatment, assistance and the lack of integration among local actors.

Challenges to successful implementation of HIV and AIDS-related health policies in Cartagena, Colombia.

The Caribbean region presents the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS worldwide after sub-Saharan Africa; leading to serious social, economic and health consequences at the local scale but also at the regional and global levels. In Colombia, a national plan to tackle the epidemic was formulated with little evidence that its implementation in the local context is effective. This study focused on Cartagena - one of Colombia's largest cities and an international touristic hub - that presents one of the highest HIV prevalences in the country, to investigate whether the national plan accounts for local specificities and what are the barriers to local implementation. Based on the Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT), this qualitative research relied upon 27 interviews and 13 life stories of local inhabitants and stakeholders, collected in a first fieldwork in 2006-2007. A follow-up data collection took place in 2013 with 10 participants: key policymakers and implementers, NGO representatives and local inhabitants. Barriers identified by the participants included: local population's understandings and beliefs on condom use; stigma and discrimination; lack of collaboration from the Church, the education sector and local politicians; corruption; high staff turnover; frequent changes in leadership; lack of economic and human resources; and barriers to health care access. The findings suggest that global influences also have an impact on the CIT framework (e.g. international organisations as a major financier in HIV prevention). The participants put forward several feasible solutions to implementation barriers. We discuss how several of the proposed solutions have been applied in other Latin American and Caribbean countries and yielded positive results. However, further research is needed to find possible ways of overcoming certain barriers identified by this study such as corruption, the lack of collaboration of the Church and barriers to health care access.