An investigation of Victorian Municipal Public Health Plans for strategies that alleviate food insecurity: a qualitative collective case study

Brydie Clarke, Jan Moore

Abstract


 Objective:

To better understand how the process of local government Municipal Public Health (MPH) planning may impact on the inclusion of strategies to reduce community food insecurity.

Methods:

A case study approach was used to assess process and decision-making across three Municipal Councils in Victoria with regard to the inclusion of food insecurity as a priority issue in MPH plans. Qualitative interviews with Local Government Authority (LGA) staff were conducted to establish some of the barriers and enablers for the inclusion of strategies to support food security.

Results:

LG organisational culture, structures and planning processes, workforce capacity and access and utilisation of evidence all impacted on whether strategies to reduce food insecurity were included into the MPHP plans. The case studies indicated that greater direction is needed from state government regarding strategic planning directions that build a more cohesive planning environment. 

Conclusion:

Interventions that focus on organisational culture and capacity to support evidence informed, integrated MPH planning are required to enable strategies that promote food security at local government level.

Implications

Strategies are required for the improvement local government planning processes to create the integrated approach necessary for action upon food insecurity.

 

 


Keywords


Food insecurity, health planning, healthy public policy, public health, local government, evidence informed decision making,

Full Text:

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References


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