TY - JOUR

T1 - Public acceptability of public health policy to improve population health: a population-based survey

AU - Sharp, Catherine

AU - Bellis, Mark

AU - Hughes, Karen

AU - Ford, Kat

AU - Di Lemma, Lisa

N1 - © 2020 The Authors Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Funded by Public Health Wales

PY - 2020/8

Y1 - 2020/8

N2 - BACKGROUND: For public health policies to be effective, it is critical that they are acceptable to the public as acceptance levels impact success rate.OBJECTIVE: To explore public acceptance of public health statements and examine differences in acceptability across socio-demographics, health behaviours (physical activity, diet, binge drinking and smoking), health status and well-being.METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample (N = 1001) using a random stratified sampling method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at homes of residents in Wales aged 16+ years. Individuals reported whether they agreed, had no opinion, or disagreed with 12 public health statements.RESULTS: More than half of the sample were supportive of 10 out of 12 statements. The three statements with the greatest support (>80% agreement) reflected the importance of: a safe and loving childhood to becoming a healthy adult, schools teaching about health, and healthier foods costing less. Individuals who engaged in unhealthy behaviours were less likely to agree with some of the statements (eg 39.8% of binge drinkers agreed alcohol adverts should be banned compared to 57.6% of those who never binge drink; P < .001).CONCLUSIONS: Findings show an appetite for public health policies among the majority of the public. The relationship between supporting policies and engaging in healthy behaviours suggests a feedback loop that is potentially capable of shifting both public opinion and the opportunities for policy intervention. If a nation becomes healthier, this could illicit greater support for stronger policies which could encourage more people to move in a healthier direction.

AB - BACKGROUND: For public health policies to be effective, it is critical that they are acceptable to the public as acceptance levels impact success rate.OBJECTIVE: To explore public acceptance of public health statements and examine differences in acceptability across socio-demographics, health behaviours (physical activity, diet, binge drinking and smoking), health status and well-being.METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample (N = 1001) using a random stratified sampling method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at homes of residents in Wales aged 16+ years. Individuals reported whether they agreed, had no opinion, or disagreed with 12 public health statements.RESULTS: More than half of the sample were supportive of 10 out of 12 statements. The three statements with the greatest support (>80% agreement) reflected the importance of: a safe and loving childhood to becoming a healthy adult, schools teaching about health, and healthier foods costing less. Individuals who engaged in unhealthy behaviours were less likely to agree with some of the statements (eg 39.8% of binge drinkers agreed alcohol adverts should be banned compared to 57.6% of those who never binge drink; P < .001).CONCLUSIONS: Findings show an appetite for public health policies among the majority of the public. The relationship between supporting policies and engaging in healthy behaviours suggests a feedback loop that is potentially capable of shifting both public opinion and the opportunities for policy intervention. If a nation becomes healthier, this could illicit greater support for stronger policies which could encourage more people to move in a healthier direction.

KW - alcohol

KW - diet

KW - general health

KW - national survey

KW - physical activity

KW - policy

KW - public acceptance

KW - public health

KW - smoking

KW - well-being

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13041

DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13041

M3 - Article

C2 - 32329938

VL - 23

SP - 802

EP - 812

JO - Health Expectations

JF - Health Expectations

SN - 1369-6513

IS - 4

ER -