Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia
Abstract Background Local government plays an important role in addressing complex public health challenges. While the use of research in this work is important, it is often poorly understood. This study aimed to build knowledge about how research is used by investigating its use by local government...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-10-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10087-5 |
| _version_ | 1797453385724592128 |
|---|---|
| author | Jennifer Dam Annemarie Wright Joannette J (Annette) Bos Peter Bragge |
| author_facet | Jennifer Dam Annemarie Wright Joannette J (Annette) Bos Peter Bragge |
| author_sort | Jennifer Dam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Local government plays an important role in addressing complex public health challenges. While the use of research in this work is important, it is often poorly understood. This study aimed to build knowledge about how research is used by investigating its use by local government authorities (LGAs) in Victoria, Australia in responding to a new legislative requirement to prioritise climate and health in public health planning. The role of collaboration was also explored. Methods Informed by Normalization Process Theory (NPT), this study adopted multiple research methods, combining data from an online survey and face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics; thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results Participants comprised 15 interviewees, and 46 survey respondents from 40 different LGAs. Research was most commonly accessed via evidence synthesis, and largely used to inform understanding about climate and health. When and how research was used was shaped by contextual factors including legislation, community values and practical limitations of how research needed to be communicated to decision-makers. Collaboration was more commonly associated with research access than use. Conclusions Greater investment in the production and dissemination of localised research, that identifies local issues (e.g. climate risk factors) and is tailored to the communication needs of local audiences is needed to foster more impactful research use in local public health policy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:22:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a969597339a42baaee39105173b309c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:22:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a969597339a42baaee39105173b309c2023-11-26T12:43:20ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-10-0123111410.1186/s12913-023-10087-5Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, AustraliaJennifer Dam0Annemarie Wright1Joannette J (Annette) Bos2Peter Bragge3Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash UniversityVictorian Department of Health and Human ServicesMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash UniversityMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash UniversityAbstract Background Local government plays an important role in addressing complex public health challenges. While the use of research in this work is important, it is often poorly understood. This study aimed to build knowledge about how research is used by investigating its use by local government authorities (LGAs) in Victoria, Australia in responding to a new legislative requirement to prioritise climate and health in public health planning. The role of collaboration was also explored. Methods Informed by Normalization Process Theory (NPT), this study adopted multiple research methods, combining data from an online survey and face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics; thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results Participants comprised 15 interviewees, and 46 survey respondents from 40 different LGAs. Research was most commonly accessed via evidence synthesis, and largely used to inform understanding about climate and health. When and how research was used was shaped by contextual factors including legislation, community values and practical limitations of how research needed to be communicated to decision-makers. Collaboration was more commonly associated with research access than use. Conclusions Greater investment in the production and dissemination of localised research, that identifies local issues (e.g. climate risk factors) and is tailored to the communication needs of local audiences is needed to foster more impactful research use in local public health policy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10087-5Local governmentKnowledge Translation (KT)Research usePublic healthNormalization Process Theory (NPT) |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer Dam Annemarie Wright Joannette J (Annette) Bos Peter Bragge Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia BMC Health Services Research Local government Knowledge Translation (KT) Research use Public health Normalization Process Theory (NPT) |
| title | Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia |
| title_full | Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia |
| title_fullStr | Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia |
| title_short | Global issues, local action: exploring local governments use of research in “tackling climate change and its impacts on health” in Victoria, Australia |
| title_sort | global issues local action exploring local governments use of research in tackling climate change and its impacts on health in victoria australia |
| topic | Local government Knowledge Translation (KT) Research use Public health Normalization Process Theory (NPT) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10087-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jenniferdam globalissueslocalactionexploringlocalgovernmentsuseofresearchintacklingclimatechangeanditsimpactsonhealthinvictoriaaustralia AT annemariewright globalissueslocalactionexploringlocalgovernmentsuseofresearchintacklingclimatechangeanditsimpactsonhealthinvictoriaaustralia AT joannettejannettebos globalissueslocalactionexploringlocalgovernmentsuseofresearchintacklingclimatechangeanditsimpactsonhealthinvictoriaaustralia AT peterbragge globalissueslocalactionexploringlocalgovernmentsuseofresearchintacklingclimatechangeanditsimpactsonhealthinvictoriaaustralia |