Civil society and health: contributions and potential

ABSTRACT

Civil society organizations (CSOs) can make a vital contribution to public health and health systems, but harnessing their potential is complex in a Europe where government–CSO relations vary so profoundly. This study is intended to outline some of the challenges and assist policy-makers in furthering their understanding of the part CSOs can play in tandem and alongside government. To this end it analyses existing evidence and draws on a set of seven thematic chapters and six mini case studies. They examine experiences from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Turkey and the European Union and make use of a single assessment framework to understand the diverse contexts in which CSOs operate. The evidence shows that CSOs are ubiquitous, varied and (typically) beneficial. The topics covered in this study reflect such diversity of aims and means anti-tobacco advocacy, food banks, refugee health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and social partnership. CSOs make a substantial contribution to public health and health systems with regards to policy development, service delivery and governance. This includes evidence provision, advocacy, mobilization, consensus building, provision of medical services and of services related to the social determinants of health, standard setting, self-regulation and fostering social partnership. Engaging successfully with CSOs means governments making use of adequate tools and creating contexts conducive to collaboration. This book guides policy-makers working with CSOs and helps avoid some potential pitfalls. The editors outline a practical framework for such collaboration which suggests identifying key CSOs in a given area; clarifying why there should be engagement with civil society; being realistic as to what CSOs can or will achieve; and an understanding of how CSOs can be helped to deliver.