Health in All Policies Approaches: Pearls from the <scp>W</scp>estern <scp>P</scp>acific Region

Abstract

Abstract Health in A ll P olicies is an approach that seeks to strengthen public policy‐making across health and other sectors in order to achieve the most favourable health impacts. There is currently interest in understanding how H ealth in A ll P olicies is applied in different contexts; whether it makes a difference to policy practices, health outcomes and health equity; and what is required to equip the different sectors to work effectively to improve the health equity impacts of their policies. This article presents findings from a review of domestic policies and practices of H ealth in A ll P olicies in countries across the W orld H ealth O rganization W estern P acific Region. The findings illustrate that there is a strong foundation for action, particularly given prior intersectoral action and the important convening point that issues like non‐communicable diseases and transport provide for H ealth in A ll P olicies within the W estern P acific R egion. However, the consideration of health equity in H ealth in A ll P olicies needs more explicit attention. This knowledge can be used for building capacity within the health sector and other sectors to undertake sustainable and effective intersectoral collaboration for improved health equity.