Strategic Lines of Action
Establish the needs and priorities for HiAP
To establish the needs and priorities to achieve HiAP by beginning strategic planning and prioritization; to evaluate the implications of health policies , equity and health systems; to make assessments of the impact on health; to set immediate goals as well as medium and long term goals; to evaluate the regulatory and political context; to define the capacity of regulation, supervision and execution of HiAP.
Establish the framework for an effective action plan
To analyze the context in which HiAP will be applied and determine what implementation strategies are feasible; to study the data, analysis and evidence needed to plan , monitor and evaluate the HiAP; point out the structures and processes required to support the implementation of HiAP; to examine the implications regarding human resources, financing and accountability.
Define structures and complementary processes
To indicate the principal agent; consider the opportunities for having structural support top tobottom and bottom-up as well as horizontally; refer to the agendas and existing norms; and to be based on versatile mechanisms for accountability.
To facilitate the evaluation of participation
To assess the effects of health policies; to note the effects of health policies; identify key groups or communities; indicate key players and encourage their participation; explore the possibilities for improving and restructuring the existing mechanisms of the legislative process.
Ensure monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Start early planning monitoring and evaluation; noting the potential opportunities for collaboration; indicate specific areas of interest; to execute agreed activities to conduct monitoring and evaluation; and disseminating lessons learned.
Build Capacity
Train and support health professionals; strengthen institutional capacity; build capacity for research; strengthen the promotion of a cause and collaboration in research; build capacity in the health ministry and other ministries; increase the capacity of the community to participate in the HiAP programs.
2012
Regulating food sales at school
When classes end, the children in Costa Rica go to school stores to buy food. The Ministries of Health and Education saw the daily need for food and drinks as an opportunity to promote healthy eating habits and proposed regulating which products are sold in school stores. In the midst of a national debate led by the food industry, the decree was finally passed. The importance of health was proven to be more important than the economic interests of corporations.
2010
Social prevention of violence and crime
The law of Social Prevention of Violence and Crime was issued by the State of Chihuahua, Mexico in 2010. It is an example of intersectoral cooperation implemented at a regional level. The most important aspect of this case is that the State System of Public Safety took leadership and handles criminal situations from a public health perspective, going beyond the criminal approach.
2006
National Plan for Good Living (PNBV)
Ecuador established the National Plan for Good Living as a way to plan and generate actions. The Plan permeated the entire state structure, integrating Health, Education, Labor and Social Inclusion sectors , among others. It created opportunities for citizen participation, from the national to the local level with a focus on rights. The plan has its own resources and it has Presidential and legislative support. It is a clear example of intersectoral action to build sustainable development.
2015
Health in All Policies approach: Quick Assessment of Health Inequities
After hosting the sub-region first Health in All Policies (HiAP) training, the government of Suriname requested support from PAHO and immediately moved towards implementation of the HiAP approach for addressing the social determinants of health. A dedicated team has worked under the leadership of the Ministry of Health on the sub-region first Quick Assessment of Social Determinants of Health to understand the underlying causes of major health problems and associated health inequities. This participatory and intersectoral process lasting six months has left Suriname organized and motivated, with 8 areas of specific action. These will make sure that the responsibility of the health of the population is not only a matter for the Ministry of health, but shared with other sectors, including eight Ministries working closely with non -governmental and community organizations, the private sector, academia and the entire civil society. The experience started in 2015.
2007
Joint-effort to give care for people living in violent situations
A joint-effort between those responsible for preventing sexual and domestic violence and those caring for their victims was key for the work done in Campinas, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil . The coordination was made possible when domestic violence was considered a public health issue, not only a concern for the police force. Today the care for victims is quick and protective; education on this topic increases awareness by teaching people how to identify cases of violence, and to aid in the prevention and reporting of cases when they occur.
2010
Cencinai: Education Centers, Nutrition and Holistic Care
A family living in poverty and vulnerability faces the risk of nurturing its children inadequately. A wide inter-sectoral response led by Health and Education was successful in providing this children in Costa Rica with holistic care as well as nutrition and education services. Working mothers are also given the support they need to succeed. This is an example of inter-sectoral coordination in the presence of a social determinant of health.