Analysis of the Chilean health promotion policy "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle".

BACKGROUND: Intersectoral health promotion initiatives in Chile to address obesity and non- communicable diseases have had a long history in Chile, but also a high degree of changes in their design, implementation, and financing. AIM: To analyze the "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle" enacted by Law 20,670 under Sabatier's "Advocacy Coalition Framework" (ACF), addressing the political discussion and its execution in the subsequent governing coalitions (2011-2022). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ACF components are the following: external events, coalitions, policy subsystem (health promotion), and policy brokers. Policy change and learning occurs when a certain level of conflict exists between coalitions. We carried out a bibliographic and literature review, including history of the Law and notes in the media. RESULTS: We identified two coalitions. The first is pro-individual freedom and aims to solve the problem with education and health promotion. The second one defines the problem as structural and related to social determinants and health inequity. The first coalition launched the "Choose Healthy Liferstyle" program in 2011 when they were in executive power. After criticism from the opposition and the participation of policy brokers, the Program was institutionalized with an intersectoral vision. The lack of permanent financing affected the continuity of the policy, especially after a change in the governing coalition. CONCLUSIONS: Law 20,670 falls within the ACF. However, policy learning slowed down because the problem involved social aspects, conflict between deep beliefs of both coalitions, and lack of permanent funding, thus affecting the continuity of the policy.

Analysis of the Chilean health promotion policy "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle" / Análisis de la política de promoción de salud chilena "Elige Vivir Sano"

BACKGROUND: Intersectoral health promotion initiatives in Chile to address obesity and non- communicable diseases have had a long history in Chile, but also a high degree of changes in their design, implementation, and financing. AIM: To analyze the "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle" enacted by Law 20,670 under Sabatier's "Advocacy Coalition Framework" (ACF), addressing the political discussion and its execution in the subsequent governing coalitions (2011-2022). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ACF components are the following: external events, coalitions, policy subsystem (health promotion), and policy brokers. Policy change and learning occurs when a certain level of conflict exists between coalitions. We carried out a bibliographic and literature review, including history of the Law and notes in the media. RESULTS: We identified two coalitions. The first is pro-individual freedom and aims to solve the problem with education and health promotion. The second one defines the problem as structural and related to social determinants and health inequity. The first coalition launched the "Choose Healthy Liferstyle" program in 2011 when they were in executive power. After criticism from the opposition and the participation of policy brokers, the Program was institutionalized with an intersectoral vision. The lack of permanent financing affected the continuity of the policy, especially after a change in the governing coalition. CONCLUSIONS: Law 20,670 falls within the ACF. However, policy learning slowed down because the problem involved social aspects, conflict between deep beliefs of both coalitions, and lack of permanent funding, thus affecting the continuity of the policy.

ANECEDENTES: Las iniciativas intersectoriales de promoción de salud en Chile han tenido una larga historia en el país, pero también un alto grado de cambios en su diseño, implementación y financiamiento. OBJETIVOS: Analizar el "Sistema Elige Vivir Sano" (Ley 20.670) bajo el marco de "Coaliciones de Causa" (ACF), abordando la discusión política y su ejecución durante cambios de coaliciones gobernantes (2011-2022). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Los componentes de ACF incluyen eventos externos, coaliciones, subsistema de políticas (promoción de salud) e intermediarios de políticas. El cambio y aprendizaje de políticas ocurre cuando existe cierto nivel de conflicto entre coaliciones. Realizamos una revisión de literatura, incluyendo historia de la Ley y notas en los medios de comunicación. RESULTADOS: Identificamos dos coaliciones. La primera es pro-libertad individual y pretende resolver el problema con educación y promoción de la salud. La segunda es pro-determinantes sociales y define el problema como estructural. La primera coalición lanzó el programa "Elige Vivir Sano" en 2011 cuando estaban en el poder ejecutivo. Luego de las críticas de la oposición y la participación de intermediarios de políticas, el Programa se institucionalizó con una visión intersectorial. La falta de financiamiento permanente afecta la continuidad de la política, especialmente luego de un cambio en la coalición gobernante. CONCLUSIONES: La Ley 20.670 se enmarca dentro de la ACF. Sin embargo, el aprendizaje de políticas se ralentizó porque el problema involucra aspectos sociales, conflicto entre creencias profundas de ambas coaliciones y falta de financiamiento permanente, afectando la continuidad de la política.