Writing a Good Policy

1. Writing a Good Policy Geraldine S. Perry, DrPH, RD Member of The Science Board Governing Council Food and Nutrition Section American Pubic Health Association

2. Purpose • To identify the basic characteristics of a good policy • To outline the key components of a well written policy

3. Basic Characteristics of Good Policy • Useful • No APHA policy on the issue • An update of existing policy • Not narrowly written • Not developed to address a specific time-sensitive issue • Should be comprehensive • Timely • Well written • Clear, concise, succinct

4. Basic Components • Title • State the Public Health Problem • Type of strategy will address • Should not cite a specific year • < 70 characters • Key Words • 3-5 words that can be used to search the subject matter

5. Basic Components • Over-riding concern • Identify the single over riding objective (SOCO) • Ex. 1: Development of programs for obesity prevention • Ex. 2: Increased efforts to reduce the level of trans fat in the food supply

6. Basic Components • Relationship to existing APHA policy • Existing APHA policies related to this topic • Ex. 1 – Policies on obesity • Ex. 2 - Policies on trans fat, high fat content of food, Dietary Guidelines • List the policy number (s) in the introduction section of the policy • APHA supports the Dietary Guidelines which suggest that trans fat should be reduced in the diet (Policy #) • Current policies listed on the APHA website • Does this policy update or replace current policy

7. Basic Components • Problem Statement • Public health problem • Clear succinct statement • Burden of the problem • Should be well referenced • Numbered • Scientific • Political • Ethical • Include any opposing issue • Ex: Trans fats have been shown to be related to heart disease. Other studies have not supported this relationship.

8. Basic Components • Proposed Recommendations • Strategy (ies) proposed • should give evidence that the strategy has worked; list references • Reducing trans fats in the food supply will reduce mortality rates • Alternative strategies • Strategy tried or proposed • Give evidence to support the effectiveness of the suggested strategy • List references in appropriate format • Counter points on whether proposed strategy works

9. Basic Components • Action Steps • Must be externally directed • APHA urges CDC to organize an expert panel on the feasibility of reducing trans fats in processed foods • Must be feasible • Must be culturally appropriate • No action should be listed in this section for which supporting evidence has not been presented in the strategy section or in the problem statement section

10. Basic Components • References • Listed in order of occurrence in the body of the: • Introduction (APHA policies should also be referenced) • Problem statement • Strategy section • Peer-reviewed • Try not to use personal correspondences • Primary sources • Could use a good review article • Most recent references related to issue • Format used in AJPH (AMA Style)

11. Basic Components • References • Examples of correct format • Aro A. Epidemiology of trans fatty acids and coronary heart disease in Europe. Nutr Metab Cardivasc Dis 1998;8:402-407 2. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dietary Guidelines for Americans, January 12, 2005.

12. Basic Components • References • Examples of correct format 3. Nutrition Subcommittee of the Food Advisory Committee, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Food and Drug Administration (FSA) Summary Minutes, April 27-28, 2004, http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/minutes/2004-4035m1-summary.pdf, accessed on 11-3-2006.

13. Further Information • For further information, please contact the APHA Government Relations Office • 202-777-2514