Article type
Abstract
Background:
The World Health Organization states that chronic diseases cause 41 million deaths each year, and it also advocates for the need for countries and governments at all levels to develop evidence-based policies to prevent and control the occurrence and development of chronic diseases. However, some countries lack the institutions and organizations needed to develop evidence-based policies for chronic diseases. Objective:
Policy texts are used as a basis for analyzing the application of evidence in developing chronic disease policy in the United States, Australia, and Canada, respectively.
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted until February 2024 of Australian government health departments, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the US Centers for Prevention and Control, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Inclusion criteria included policy texts and strategic plans related to chronic disease. Exclusion criteria included policy texts and strategic plans unrelated to chronic diseases. Studies were manually screened and coded by 2 independent researchers, and any conflicts were discussed with a third researcher.
Results:
A total of 16 chronic disease policies met the inclusion criteria, of which 50% (n = 8) were based on different forms of evidence. Of the 8 policy texts, 25% (n = 2) conducted an evaluation, 87.5% (n = 7) referred to another guideline, and 25% (n = 2) drew on other provincial, national, and international experiences.
Conclusion:
During the development of chronic disease policies in the United States, Australia, and Canada, which are typical countries, half of the policies reported the basis for their development, with guidelines being the most common form of evidence.
The World Health Organization states that chronic diseases cause 41 million deaths each year, and it also advocates for the need for countries and governments at all levels to develop evidence-based policies to prevent and control the occurrence and development of chronic diseases. However, some countries lack the institutions and organizations needed to develop evidence-based policies for chronic diseases. Objective:
Policy texts are used as a basis for analyzing the application of evidence in developing chronic disease policy in the United States, Australia, and Canada, respectively.
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted until February 2024 of Australian government health departments, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the US Centers for Prevention and Control, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Inclusion criteria included policy texts and strategic plans related to chronic disease. Exclusion criteria included policy texts and strategic plans unrelated to chronic diseases. Studies were manually screened and coded by 2 independent researchers, and any conflicts were discussed with a third researcher.
Results:
A total of 16 chronic disease policies met the inclusion criteria, of which 50% (n = 8) were based on different forms of evidence. Of the 8 policy texts, 25% (n = 2) conducted an evaluation, 87.5% (n = 7) referred to another guideline, and 25% (n = 2) drew on other provincial, national, and international experiences.
Conclusion:
During the development of chronic disease policies in the United States, Australia, and Canada, which are typical countries, half of the policies reported the basis for their development, with guidelines being the most common form of evidence.