Improving child literacy using South Australia ’s Health in All Policies approach

This article focuses on a case study of HiAP work, undertaken between health and education in South Australia to increase parental engagement in children ’s literacy among lower socio-economic families. It draws on a document analysis of 71 documents, seven in-depth interviews with senior policy actors and a programme logic model. The project began with the intention of using policy levers to improve long-term health outcomes through addressing chi ld literacy, a proven social determinant of health. Because of the context in which it was operating, the project extended from a focus on policy to working directly with four schools implementing strategies to facilitate parental engagement, with the intention of finally influencing system-wide edu cation policy. We use an institutional framework to support our analysis through a discussion of ideas, actors and institutions and how these influenced the project. The article provides insight into the facilitators and impediments to intersectoral efforts to progress shared educational and health goals and achieve sustainable change, and identifies lessons for others intending to use this approach.
Source: Health Promotion International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research