The impact of research on health education/health literacy on policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean Region

Carlos Vílchez-Román; Alberto Paucar-Caceres; Silvia Quispe-Prieto; Carlos Vílchez-Román; Alberto Paucar-Caceres; Silvia Quispe-Prieto

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2024017

AIMS Public Health

2024, Volume 11, Issue 2: 330-348. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024017

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Research article

The impact of research on health education/health literacy on policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean Region

1.
Research Department, CENTRUM Católica Graduate Business School (CCGBS), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Lima 15023, Perú
2.
Department for Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6BH, United Kingdom
3.
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Grohmann, Tacna 23000, Perú

Received: 11 December 2023 Revised: 19 February 2024 Accepted: 28 January 2024 Published: 18 March 2024

Background
In this study, we addressed the gap between health research and policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), focusing on health education/health literacy. Despite growing research, translating findings into effective policies needs to be improved. We explored the factors that make research on health education and health literacy to be referenced and mentioned in policy documents in LAC (and in Peru). We proposed a model based on the hypothesis that the relationship between research and policymaking depends on the research strength of scientific evidence, timing, and social media activity.
Methods
A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data sources included multidisciplinary databases, altmetric data, and citations of policy documents. For data analysis, we obtained descriptive statistics to identify patterns and then verified the association between variables using χ2. The negative binomial regression was used to test the empirical model introduced above. Quantitative analysis was complemented by analysis of responses to a set of open questions from a sample of Peruvian health policymakers.
Results
We found that timing, strength of evidence, and social media activity were significant predictors of research cited in policy documents. Policy documents tended to rely more on qualitative evidence. A positive correlation between timing and cites in policy documents highlighted the importance of timely dissemination, whereas social media activity, while having an impact, had a relatively minor effect. Peruvian policymakers' responses emphasized the role of political context, the relevance of results, and policymakers' commitment to incorporating research into policies.
Conclusion
Strength of evidence, social media engagement, and publication timing are key predictors of citations for health education/literacy research in LAC policy documents. However, qualitative findings highlight challenges, including some distrust in research findings, together with limited access to relevant research. The findings offer opportunities to enhance evidence-informed health education/health literacy policy decisions.
Implications
To increase the influence on health policymakers, researchers should prioritize the timely dissemination of solid evidence, considering both traditional and digital platforms. Policymakers should focus on the quality and relevance of evidence when formulating policies.
- health literacy,
- education literacy,
- policymaking,
- strength of evidence,
- Latin American countries,
- mixed-methods research
Citation: Carlos Vílchez-Román, Alberto Paucar-Caceres, Silvia Quispe-Prieto. The impact of research on health education/health literacy on policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean Region[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(2): 330-348. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024017

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Abstract

Background

In this study, we addressed the gap between health research and policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), focusing on health education/health literacy. Despite growing research, translating findings into effective policies needs to be improved. We explored the factors that make research on health education and health literacy to be referenced and mentioned in policy documents in LAC (and in Peru). We proposed a model based on the hypothesis that the relationship between research and policymaking depends on the research strength of scientific evidence, timing, and social media activity.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data sources included multidisciplinary databases, altmetric data, and citations of policy documents. For data analysis, we obtained descriptive statistics to identify patterns and then verified the association between variables using χ2. The negative binomial regression was used to test the empirical model introduced above. Quantitative analysis was complemented by analysis of responses to a set of open questions from a sample of Peruvian health policymakers.

Results

We found that timing, strength of evidence, and social media activity were significant predictors of research cited in policy documents. Policy documents tended to rely more on qualitative evidence. A positive correlation between timing and cites in policy documents highlighted the importance of timely dissemination, whereas social media activity, while having an impact, had a relatively minor effect. Peruvian policymakers' responses emphasized the role of political context, the relevance of results, and policymakers' commitment to incorporating research into policies.

Conclusion

Strength of evidence, social media engagement, and publication timing are key predictors of citations for health education/literacy research in LAC policy documents. However, qualitative findings highlight challenges, including some distrust in research findings, together with limited access to relevant research. The findings offer opportunities to enhance evidence-informed health education/health literacy policy decisions.

Implications

To increase the influence on health policymakers, researchers should prioritize the timely dissemination of solid evidence, considering both traditional and digital platforms. Policymakers should focus on the quality and relevance of evidence when formulating policies.

Acknowledgments

This study is part of the research project Literacy under Covid-19 in Viñani/Alfabetización en Salud en Viñani (ALSAVI) in Tacna-Peru (https://alsavi.org/ and https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/?id=15815) (accessed 15 February 2024). This project is funded by the Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Tacna, Peru, via the Canon Minero aid research program.
Funding institution: Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann (UNJBG).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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