Workshop slides

1. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Politics and Power in Public Health
A HEALTHY FUTURE
Dr Helen Brown
ADVOCATING FOR

2. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Overview
 Advocacy and activism
 Direct action and civil disobedience
 Reflections
 Opportunities for action

3. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Advocacy
 WHO (1995) defines health advocacy as ‘a combination of
individual and social actions designed to gain political
commitment, policy support, social acceptance and systems
support for a particular health goal or programme’.
 Advocacy can be described as efforts taken within the existing
system and biomedical model that generally use knowledge of
experts and aim to effect change through primarily education
(Zoller, 2005).

4. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activism
 Unlike advocacy, activism often challenges the existing system,
power structures and models, and emphasises the fundamental
need for public participation in policy-making (Zoller, 2005).
 Health activism aims to change the status quo (e.g. social
norms, embedded policies, dominance of certain actors), as
such, people often need to work outside their organisation and
in individual roles. Examples of activism include demonstrations,
public rallies, filing litigation, internet-based actions, and
lobbying as well as direct action.

5. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Brainstorm
 What advocacy strategies can you think of?
 What types of activism have you seen/been involved in?

6. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

7. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activity 12.1: A Conceptual Framework
for Advocacy
1. Identify a health promotion example that fits in each of the four
categories.
2. Where does the majority of health promotion advocacy strategies sit?
Why might this be?
3. What are the dilemmas involved in being both a health professional
and an advocate? Are there some that are particularly pertinent to
you? How and why?

8. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Direct Action
 Direct action is ‘essentially nonviolent
methods of noncooperation, obstruction or
defiance.’
 This strategy is often employed where there
is a significant imbalance of power between
people and corporations / institutions /
governments which lead people to adopt
tactics such as non-cooperation (e.g. tax
refusal, strikes, boycotts), civil disobedience
or physical obstruction (Carter, 2005).

9. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Civil Disobedience + Tobacco Control
 https://youtu.be/os59jkGa8pY

10. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Reflections
 What strategies were used to highlight the issue?
 How essential is the involvement of the media in
any movement?
 What types of tactics draw media attention?
 What are some examples of people using civil
disobedience in your community or nearby?

11. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Dr Alex Wodak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA7_byxGgOA

12. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Reflections
 Does civil disobedience have to be part of a
movement for social change?
 What would it take for you to behave unlawfully to
pursue social change?
 What do you love? What is worth
saving/protecting? What injustice or inequity
would make you stand up and be heard?

13. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

14. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key Concepts
1. Socio-ecological framework
2. Social determinants of health
3. Social gradient
4. Inequity
5. Inequality
6. Politics
7. The State
8. Externalities
9. Merit Goods
10. Liberal democracy
11. Authoritarian government
12. Participatory democracy
13. Representative democracy
14. Preferential voting
15. Proportional representation
16. House of Representatives
17. Senate
18. Legislative Assembly
19. Legislative Council
20. Second reading
21. Parliamentary levers
22. Parliamentary committees
23. Hansard
24. Corporate influence
25. Think tank
26. Scientific literacy
27. Cognitive dissonance
28. Confirmation bias
29. Economics
30. Markets
31. Market economy
32. Market failure
33. Asymmetric information
34. Monopoly
35. Neoliberalism
36. Social-structuralism
37. Public benefits
38. Individual interests
39. Political ideology
40. Libertarian
41. Liberalism
42. Conservativism
43. Social Democracy
44. Socialism
45. Ecologism
46. Healthy cities
47. Urban planning
48. Policy instrument
49. Taxation
50. Direct regulation
51. Voluntary regulation
52. Market mechanism
53. Australian Policy Cycle
54. Wicked problems
55. Authoritative approaches
56. Collaborative approaches
57. Paternalism
58. Healthy public policy
59. Health in All Policies
60. Intersectoral partnerships
61. Coalition
62. Advocacy
63. Activism
64. Direct action

15. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activity 12.2: Reflections on the Future
 To end our journey, reflect back on the semester and the
activities you have undertaken.
 Consider what new ideas, concepts or lessons have
stood out for you….
 What will you take away from this unit, and how will it
influence your future public health practice?

16. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Join a professional organisation
 Australian Health Promotion Association
http://www.healthpromotion.org.au/
 Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA
http://www.phaiwa.org.au/
 Public Health Association of Australia
http://www.phaa.net.au/
 International Union for Health Promotion and Education
http://www.iuhpe.org/index.php/en/
 Climate and Health Alliance
http://caha.org.au/

17. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Join a political party
 Liberal Party of Australia
https://www.liberal.org.au/
 Australian Labor Party
http://www.alp.org.au/
 Australian Greens
http://greens.org.au/
 The Nationals
http://www.nationals.org.au/

18. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Run for local council or parliament
 Local
https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/candidates-and-
parties/local-government-candidates
 State
https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/candidates-and-
parties/nominations
 Federal
http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/candidates/index.htm

19. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Join a social movement
 People's Health Movement
http://www.phmovement.org/
 Australian Council of Trade Unions
http://www.actu.org.au/
 350.org – Global Climate Movement
http://350.org/
 …..

20. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Support corporate regulation
 Encourage governments to set advertising standards
prohibiting promotion of unhealthy products and making
misleading health claims.
 Strengthen laws making corporations liable for the health-
related damage associated with products they produce
and promote.
 Demand political reforms that reduce corporations’
privileged voice in public policy.

21. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Keep learning
 Master of Public Health - Optional Unit:
HRIG5003 Human Rights Activism, Advocacy and Change
 Global Health Advocacy Incubator
https://advocacyincubator.org/
 Global Nonviolent Action Database
http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/
 Resources for activist strategy, e.g. Plan to Win
http://plantowin.net.au/2012/07/effective-action/

22. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Keep learning
 Advocacy in Action: A toolkit for
Public Health Professionals:
https://www.phaiwa.org.au/the-
advocacy-toolkit/

23. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin’s Public Health Advocacy Institute
 Advocacy Short Course
 Sign up to PHAIWA resources and elists:
http://www.phaiwa.org.au

24. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key points
 Health is a socially constructed reality: a product of the
physical and social environment in which we live and act.
 Differences in people’s health status, including gender
differences, arise not only from biological differences but
also from differentials in social and economic status.
 Social determinants of illness can be confronted and
modified by policy interventions. Social justice and equity
are a matter of political will.

25. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key points
 Politics is central in determining how citizens and policy
makers recognise and define problems with existing social
conditions and policies, in facilitating certain kinds of public
health interventions but not others, and in generating a
variety of challenges in policy implementation.
 An understanding of politics helps public health
practitioners to better anticipate both short term constraints
and long term opportunities for change.

26. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key concepts
 Advocacy
 Activism and direct action

27. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
“Just because you do not take
an interest in politics doesn’t
mean politics won’t take an
interest in you.”
- Pericles

28. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
THE END

29. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 12: Advocating for a Healthy Future
Politics and Power in Public Health
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Questions & comments

30. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
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