title: An Examination of Two Policy Networks Involved in Advancing Smokefree Policy Initiatives.
abstract: This study examines smokefree policy networks in two cities—Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri—one that was successful in achieving widespread policy success, and one that was not. Descriptive social network analyses and visual network mapping were used to compare importance and contact relationships among actors involved in the smokefree policy initiatives. In Kansas City, where policy adoption was achieved, there was a higher level of connectivity among members, with network members being in contact with an average of more than five people, compared to just over two people for the St. Louis network. For both cities, despite being recognized as important, politicians were in contact with the fewest number of people. Results highlight the critical need to actively engage a variety of stakeholders when attempting city wide public health policy change. As evident by the success in smokefree policy adoption throughout Kansas City compared to St. Louis, closer linkages and continued communication among stakeholders including the media, coalitions, public health agencies, policymakers, and other partners are essential if we are to advance and broaden the impact of public health policy. Results indicate that the presence of champions, or those that play leadership roles in actively promoting policy by linking individuals and organizations, play an important role in advancing public health policy. Those working in public health should examine their level of engagement with the policy process and implement strategies for improving that engagement through relationship building and ongoing interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including policymakers.
authors.affiliation: George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, CB 1196, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. Smoreland-russell@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreland-Russell
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Health Systems Science, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, CB 1196, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. bcarothers@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Bobbi J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Carothers
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri; D011634:Public Health; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy
keywords: policy networks; public health policy; smokefree; social network analyses