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Are there bases for evidence-based health policy in Switzerland? Factors influencing the extent of evaluation activity in health policy in the Swiss cantons

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Balthasar Andreas,
Project Gender mainstreaming in the welfare state - the case of tax and social transfer policies in Swiss cantons. Obstacles to evidence based policy making in a gender relevant policy field
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Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal Evidence & Policy
Volume (Issue) 6(3)
Page(s) 333 - 349
Title of proceedings Evidence & Policy

Abstract

This paper aims at explaining the extent of evaluation activity in Swiss cantonal health policy. It is a quantitative analysis of determinants that promote evaluation. For the first time, it draws together data on the frequency of health policy evaluations in the Swiss cantons, shows the results of bi- and multivariate analysis and interprets them based on policy analysis hypotheses. The investigation allows the conclusion that only a minority of cantons conducts systematic evaluations of health policy measures or regularly initiates research studies. The base for evidence-based cantonal health policy in Switzerland can therefore be considered as narrow. The most impor-tant factor explaining the differences among the cantons in their evaluation activity is their population size.
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