Grant: Project Grant

Healthy public policies are key strategies for supporting health. While some places have policies that make the healthy choice easier, those policies vary widely. There is little research that helps coordinate policy adoption across places. We need to know which policy options (e.g., taxes, education, etc) are the most acceptable to, and highest priority for, policymakers and the general public. The HeAlth, Prevention, and Policy ENvironments (HAPPEN) project will address this critical gap. Our team will study the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of policymakers and the public about policies related to preventing chronic disease and promoting mental health. We have done 5 surveys focused on chronic disease prevention (2009-2016) of the public and policymakers across Canada. Now, we propose to: i) use research and practice expertise to add mental health and substance misuse policies to that survey; and, ii) repeat the survey for two more years (2019 and 2021) in AB and MB to identify trends in policy priorities and to build on other work in those provinces. We will conduct email and phone surveys with school, workplace, municipal, and provincial policymakers and the general public. HAPPEN's research-practice team will gather and share policy evidence and develop practitioner resources. Our past surveys helped partners to act on policy opportunities, evaluate policies, and target advocacy efforts (e.g., smoke-free vehicles, school food strategies). Currently, there is no other survey that asks both policymakers and the public about policies related to chronic disease, mental health and substance misuse. We will share our data to help NGOs and others act on the most promising policies and focus policymakers' attention on policies with strong public support. HAPPEN will create new and much needed evidence on trends in policy priorities over time and place, enhancing policy action and evaluation in Canada.