Lokaal integraal gezondheidsbeleid: effecten van beleidsondersteuning op de ontwikkeling van gemeentelijke intersectorale samenwerking

Integrated local health policy: effects of local support on the development of municipal inter-sectoral collaboration and integrated health policythe national government encourages municipalities to develop integrated health policy (health in all policies (hiap)). The development of such a policy requires intersectoral collaboration, however municipalities show little initiative in this regard. Operating in an advisory role the regional public health service (ggd) has supported municipalities in south-limburg, both administratively and professionally, in setting up inter-sectoral collaboration. Prior to and at the completion of the local support initiative, civil servants, heads of departments and aldermen were invited to fill in a internet questionnaire on integrated local health policy. The results show that the effects of local support are in general very limited and uncertain. Local support has made a positive contribution to the development of an integrated policy targeting overweightness. Particularly the involvement of civil servants is positively influenced by the support. Their knowledge and expertise has increased as has the realisation that inter-sectoral cooperation within municipal organisations is not an easy process. Especially if there is no or limited involvement on the part of heads of departments and alderman. Stimulating inter-sectoral collaboration in relation to specific health problems requires institutional involvement at all levels and not only within the health policy sector. Under the decisive guidance of a municipal policy entrepreneur at managerial level combined with the knowledge and expertise of a ‘health broker’ from the regional public health service (ggd), integrated policy can perhaps be more successful than has been the case to date.