Following the World Conference on Science (Budapest, Hungary, June 1999) member countries of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) pledged that society would expect science to provide the answers to the pressing problems facing the world in the 21st century. Science has, the assembled group agreed, solutions to offer on urgent issues such as energy, fresh water, food production, and on delivery of health care. But, science must effectively influence policymaking. This greater interaction requires improved communication of science to the public and to the policy makers and politicians. The specific language of the communiqué from the meeting clearly states, "The increasing importance of science … calls for far greater interaction among all stakeholders." Despite this, and despite commitments of APHA to complete an adequate expert scientific review of emerging policies, there are significant examples of political actions without scientific backing including irradiation for food protection, use of genetically modified organisms, selection of diagnostic tools for characterization and treatment of disease, and evaluation of the benefits of new health care programs. This paper will look at specific case examples where science has been used or misused or not considered in setting health care policies. It will provide insights into activities and processes that could have been carried out at the interface of science policy and politics to assure more scientific input into the policy-making process and the adverse consequences that could have been avoided by the application of such processes.
Learning Objectives: Communication between scientists and policy makers
Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.