Computer-assisted health impact assessment for intersectoral health policy.
Intersectoral health policy implies negotiations with politicians outside the health sector. Health politicians have a stronger position if they can quantify health impact. In this Dutch case-study we used a computer simulation approach to answer the following questions: Which anti-tobacco intervention has the largest health gain? Will a commuter cycling policy result in any substantial health gain? What is the relative health gain of promoting higher consumption of vegetables and fruit? We concluded that substantial health gain can be achieved if cigarette packet price were to increase by 2 Dutch guilders. A commitment of all general practitioners to implement a smoking cessation intervention will result in a similar health gain. Stimulating commuter cycling could be a promising example of intersectoral health policy. Interventions to promote higher vegetable and fruit consumption will result in a relatively small health gain. Pros and cons of simulation models to support intersectoral health policy are discussed.
Mooy
J M
JM
Institute for Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 2700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gunning-Schepers
L J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017008:Negotiating; D009426:Netherlands; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011057:Politics; D011635:Public Health Administration; D016540:Smoking Cessation