International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Next Steps on Civil Society and Health Policy; Comment on “Civil Society’s Evidence-Generating Role for Health Policy Decisions: A Thematic Analysis of a Healthcare Information for All (HIFA) Community Online Discussion”

Document Type : Commentary

Author
Leiden University, The Hague, Netherlands
Abstract
This commentary responds to a recent discussion in the International Journal of Health Policy and Management (IJHPM) about civil society inputs to health policy. That exchange rightly underscored important issues regarding definitions, institutional mechanisms, complementary knowledges, and political economy dynamics. Further development of this important discussion could address six matters, respectively concerning broadening the literature coverage, widening the concept of civil society, enlarging the database, examining possible downsides of civil society input, strengthening theorization, and informing policy practice. This commentary offers suggestions on each of these six lines.
Keywords

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Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 25 October 2026

  • Received Date 23 August 2026
  • Revised Date 09 October 2026
  • Accepted Date 09 October 2026
  • First Published Date 25 October 2026
  • Published Date 25 October 2026