title: Social capital to strengthen health policy and health systems.
abstract: This article recounts the development of a model for social capital building developed over the course of interventions focused on HIV-related stigma and discrimination, safe motherhood and reproductive health. Through further engagement with relevant literature, it explores the nature of social capital and suggests why undertaking such a process can enhance health policy and programmes, advocacy and governance for improved health systems strengthening (HSS) outcomes. The social capital process proposed facilitates the systematic and effective inclusion of community voices in the health policy process-strengthening programme effectiveness as well as health system accountability and governance. Because social capital building facilitates communication and the uptake of new ideas, norms and standards within and between professional communities of practice, it can provide an important mechanism for integration both within and between sectors-a process long considered a 'wicked problem' for health policy-makers. The article argues that the systematic application of social capital building, from bonding through bridging into linking social capital, can greatly enhance the ability of governments and their partners to achieve their HSS goals.
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Ogden Health & Development Connections, 13068 Furnace Mountain Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180, USA, Senior Advisor HIV, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Mexico City, DF 11800, Mexico and Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Washington D.C. 20005, USA jess.ohdc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ogden
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Ogden Health & Development Connections, 13068 Furnace Mountain Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180, USA, Senior Advisor HIV, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Mexico City, DF 11800, Mexico and Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Washington D.C. 20005, USA.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Ogden Health & Development Connections, 13068 Furnace Mountain Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180, USA, Senior Advisor HIV, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Mexico City, DF 11800, Mexico and Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Health Policy Project, Futures Group, Washington D.C. 20005, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hardee
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006078:Government Programs; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000379:methods; D066270:Social Capital; D012922:Social Change; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: Social capital; accountability; governance; health policy; health systems