Health Policy, Politics, and Advocacy Practice Flashcards

This set covers vocabulary related to nursing leadership, the policy development process, health equity, and the social determinants of health as presented in the lecture.

Policy

A set of statements of principles, values, and intent that outlines expectations and provides a basis for consistent decision-making and resource allocation in respect to a specific issue.

‘Small p’ Policy

Refers to operational or organizational policies such as rules, procedures, protocols, and guidelines that guide day-to-day practices.

‘Big P’ Policy

Broad frameworks of ideas and values established by governments within which decisions are taken and action or inaction is pursued in relation to a problem.

Health Policy

Strategies and activities in public health, healthcare, and intersecting social systems implemented through laws, regulations, and decisions to support people’s well-being.

Canada Health Act (CHA)

Canada's federal legislation for publicly funded health care insurance that aims to protect, promote, and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents.

Agenda Setting

The stage in the policy development process where an issue is refined through political negotiation, debate, and the mobilization of support from politicians and interest groups.

Policy Formulation

The stage of policy development where different interventions are proposed and considered.

Policy Adoption

The stage of policy development where a specific proposed intervention is selected.

Policy Implementation

The stage of policy development involving the carrying out of a proposed intervention.

Policy Evaluation

The process of determining if a policy achieved its desired clinical or organizational goals.

Policy Analysis

A technique for understanding the nature, intent, and impact of a policy to assess its strengths and weaknesses.

Politics

The activity of using power to influence, persuade, or change, often involving conflicting interests struggling for dominance in public policy execution.

Stakeholders

Vested interest groups that control health care resources and exert political pressure on policy makers to influence the system to their economic advantage.

Advocacy

The act of supporting or recommending a cause or course of action on behalf of persons or issues to improve systems and societal structures.

Regulatory Body (College)

An organization focused on protecting the public through nursing regulation.

Professional Association

An organization dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and influencing nursing, health, and public policy.

Union

An organization focused on improving the socio-economic welfare of nurses.

Policy Brief

A document providing a concise summary of a specific issue, policy options, and recommendations for action tailored for an informed, non-specialist audience.

Position Statement

A document developed by nursing organizations to increase public awareness, promote a unified approach among stakeholders, and guide the profession.

Fact Sheet

A brief, usually one-page document that displays key information and data in a visual manner to be easily digested.

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Canada

A federal position reinstated in $2022$ to provide strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on policy and program areas.

Health Inequalities

Differences in health status among population groups defined by specific characteristics, often due to biological factors and individual choices.

Health Inequities

Unfair and socially unjust health differences that could be avoided if reasonable action were taken, often caused by unequal distribution of economic and social factors.

Social Justice

The fair distribution of society's benefits and responsibilities and their consequences.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

The circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, accounting for between 30\text{%} and 55\text{%} of health outcomes.

Food Desert

Urban neighborhoods or rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, often served only by fast food or convenience stores.

Joyce’s Principle

A principle aiming to guarantee all Indigenous people the right of equitable access, without discrimination, to all social and health services.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

A framework aimed at removing systemic barriers to ensure fair treatment and participation for underrepresented groups in workplaces and research.

Health Disparities

Measurable differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare across population groups influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors.