The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia
Australia employs an evidence-based approach to public health policy, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare access that is informed by relevant research. However, implementing effective policy can be challenging due to the complexity of various public health issues. Social...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1575188/full |
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| author | Jennifer White Jennifer White Kirrilly Thompson Kirrilly Thompson Joanne Talwar David N. Durrheim David N. Durrheim |
| author_facet | Jennifer White Jennifer White Kirrilly Thompson Kirrilly Thompson Joanne Talwar David N. Durrheim David N. Durrheim |
| author_sort | Jennifer White |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Australia employs an evidence-based approach to public health policy, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare access that is informed by relevant research. However, implementing effective policy can be challenging due to the complexity of various public health issues. Social and behavioral factors significantly impact individual and community health outcomes, necessitating a deeper understanding of their interrelationships. Social science theories and methodologies provide critical insights into the complex relationships between individuals and society. This perspective paper highlights the critical role of qualitative social science research in shaping public policy by offering rich, contextual insights that quantitative data alone cannot capture. This article examines the benefit of incorporating qualitative social science research in a New South Wales (NSW) local health district’s pursuit of evidence-based approaches. Through five case studies, we demonstrate how qualitative social science research has been instrumental in addressing key public health challenges, particularly in managing zoonotic diseases and pandemics, ultimately informing and shaping public health policy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb58a70506e340ec987bf9bb0b0ac9b1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb58a70506e340ec987bf9bb0b0ac9b12025-08-20T02:28:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-05-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15751881575188The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, AustraliaJennifer White0Jennifer White1Kirrilly Thompson2Kirrilly Thompson3Joanne Talwar4David N. Durrheim5David N. Durrheim6Health Protection, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton, NSW, AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW, Callaghan, NSW, AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW, Callaghan, NSW, AustraliaFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW, Callaghan, NSW, AustraliaHealth Protection, Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton, NSW, AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW, Callaghan, NSW, AustraliaAustralia employs an evidence-based approach to public health policy, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare access that is informed by relevant research. However, implementing effective policy can be challenging due to the complexity of various public health issues. Social and behavioral factors significantly impact individual and community health outcomes, necessitating a deeper understanding of their interrelationships. Social science theories and methodologies provide critical insights into the complex relationships between individuals and society. This perspective paper highlights the critical role of qualitative social science research in shaping public policy by offering rich, contextual insights that quantitative data alone cannot capture. This article examines the benefit of incorporating qualitative social science research in a New South Wales (NSW) local health district’s pursuit of evidence-based approaches. Through five case studies, we demonstrate how qualitative social science research has been instrumental in addressing key public health challenges, particularly in managing zoonotic diseases and pandemics, ultimately informing and shaping public health policy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1575188/fullpublic healthqualitativesocial sciencezoonosesinfection control |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer White Jennifer White Kirrilly Thompson Kirrilly Thompson Joanne Talwar David N. Durrheim David N. Durrheim The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia Frontiers in Public Health public health qualitative social science zoonoses infection control |
| title | The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia |
| title_full | The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia |
| title_fullStr | The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia |
| title_short | The importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels: insights from a local health district in New South Wales, Australia |
| title_sort | importance of qualitative social science research for informed public health policy at local and national levels insights from a local health district in new south wales australia |
| topic | public health qualitative social science zoonoses infection control |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1575188/full |
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