Groups that Influence Public Health Policy

The government: Responsible for setting the policy framework, funding and strategic direction of public health. They implement national health strategies and are key in providing health-related legislations. They work with other agencies to address public health concerns.
Local authorities: Play a crucial role influencing public health policy by implementing programmes at the local level. They manage health and social care services, such as substance abuse programmes, sexual health services, and children’s health initiatives.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): These are typically non-profit entities working at a global, national or local level to raise awareness, provide education, and fund research aimed at improving public health. They can impact policy through fundraising, lobbying, and advocating.
The World Health Organization (WHO): This is a global health body that generates and implements international health regulations. Their research, guidelines, and recommendations have a significant impact on public health policies worldwide.
Public Health England (PHE): An executive agency of the UK government which focuses on protecting and improving the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reducing health inequalities. They provide statistics, advice and support.
Healthcare professionals: Doctors, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare workers influence public health policy through their recorded experiences and recommendations. They often advise governments and contribute to research which shapes policy.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): An executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health in England. It provides national guidance on promoting healthy living and preventing ill health.
Social and economic factors: Businesses, charities, and socio-economic elements such as poverty, housing, and education, can all influence public health policy. Recognising and addressing these factors are critical to improving public health.
Media: Traditional and social media can shape and influence public health policy by driving public opinion and behavioural change. In some cases, they can also influence government policy and decision-making on health-related issues.
Research institutions and universities: They play a key role in influencing public health policy through their research and findings.
Members of the public: Through voting, tax paying, and feedback. Public views and needs can exert a strong influence on the public health policies set by government and local authorities.
Advocacy and special interest groups: They often lobby and campaign for particular issue areas such as tobacco control, reducing obesity, diabetes management, etc., and therefore can have significant influence in shaping public health policy.

Remember that all these groups work both independently and collectively, influencing each other and the policy-making process to promote public health.