International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Blueprints for Change: Integrating Systems Thinking into Musculoskeletal Health Policy; A Response to Recent Commentaries

Document Type : Correspondence

Authors
Carmen Huckel Schneider 1
Helen Slater 2
Deborah Kopansky-Giles 3, 4
Lyn March 5
Sarika Parambath 1
Saurab Sharma 6
James J. Young 7, 3
Swatee Jain 6
Andrew M. Briggs 2
1 Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
2 Curtin School of Allied Health, and enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
3 Department of Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, ON, Canada
4 Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
5 Florance and Cope Professorial Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital and Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
6 Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
7 Center for Muscle and Joint Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
10.34172/ijhpm.9387
Keywords
Global Policy Development
Musculoskeletal Health
Health System Reform

We thank Deane1 and Lall2 for their insightful commentaries on our recent article.3 Their reflections underscore the importance of advancing musculoskeletal (MSK) health within global health policy and systems reform initiatives, within Agenda 2030, and beyond. ...(Read more...)

  1. Deane F. Wicked questions and perfect storms: Comment on “From local action to global policy: A comparative policy content analysis of national policies to address musculoskeletal health to inform global policy development.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2024;13:8620. doi:34172/ijhpm.2024.8620
  2. Lall D. A holistic response to musculoskeletal health: Implications for global health policy: Comment on “From local action to global policy: A comparative policy content analysis of national policies to address musculoskeletal health to inform global policy development.” Int J Health Policy Manag. 2025;14:8798. doi:34172/ijhpm.2025.8798
  3. Huckel Schneider C, Parambath S, Young J, et al. From local action to global policy: A comparative policy content analysis of national policies to address musculoskeletal health to inform global policy development. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2023;12:7031. doi:34172/ijhpm.2023.7031
  4. Briggs AM, Huckel Schneider CH, Slater H, et al. Health systems strengthening to arrest the global disability burden: Empirical development of prioritised components for a global strategy for improving musculoskeletal health. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6(6):e006045. doi:1136/bmjgh-2021-006045
  5. Sacks E, Morrow M, Story WT, et al. Beyond the building blocks: Integrating community roles into health systems frameworks to achieve health for all. BMJ Glob Health. 2018;3(3):e001384. doi:1136/bmjgh-2018-001384
  6. Araujo de Carvalho I, Epping-Jordan J, Pot AM, et al. Organizing integrated health-care services to meet older people’s needs. Bull World Health Organ. 2017;95(11):756-763. doi:2471/BLT.16.187617
  7. Blyth FM, Briggs AM, Schneider CH, et al. The global burden of musculoskeletal pain—where to from here? Am J Public Health. 2019; 109(1):35-40. doi:2105/AJPH.2018.304747
  8. Briggs AM, Chua J, Cross M, et al. “It’s about time”: Dissemination and evaluation of a global health systems strengthening roadmap for musculoskeletal health—insights and future directions. BMJ Glob Health. 2023;8(11):e013786. doi:1136/bmjgh-2023-013786
International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 14, Issue 1
2025
Pages 1-3

  • Received Date 06 August 2025
  • Revised Date 15 August 2025
  • Accepted Date 16 August 2025
  • First Published Date 19 August 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025