International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Systems Thinking in Public Health; Comment on “Using System Dynamics to Understand Transnational Corporate Power in Diet-Related Non-communicable Disease Prevention Policy-Making: A Case Study of South Africa”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors
Martin McKee 1
Christina Pagel 2
1 Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
2 Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, London, UK
10.34172/ijhpm.9065
Abstract
Milson and colleagues illustrate the value of a systems approach to nutrition policy in South Africa. We respond to their call to use systems approaches, and especially, causal loop diagrams (CLDs), more widely in public health. We begin with examples of how systems approaches have provided valuable perspectives on health-related problems and continue with an example of where this approach could have been used but was not, England’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We show how an effective response would have required integrated health, economic, and social policies, yet the British government adopted a siloed approach. We conclude by noting that examples of how systems thinking, and specifically CLDs, have been used to support pandemic responses. We conclude by emphasising the need to embed systems thinking in public health policy-making to enhance resilience and preparedness for future crises.
Keywords
Systems Analysis
Soft Systems
Complexity
COVID-19
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 14, Issue 1
2025
Pages 1-4

  • Received Date 05 March 2025
  • Revised Date 08 September 2025
  • Accepted Date 13 September 2025
  • First Published Date 15 September 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025