Table 3 Background to the research questions

1

Involvement of policy sectors in the public health policy network

Health inequalities are reduced if several policy sectors collaborate in addressing such inequalities and/or their determinants.

- Does your policy sector collaborate with other policy sectors on the reduction of health inequalities?

- With which policy sectors does your policy sector collaborate on the reduction of health inequalities (education, youth affairs, sport, care, social affairs, integration, housing, spatial planning, mobility, environment, safety)?

- Why do you collaborate with those particular policy sectors on the reduction of health inequalities?

- Do you think that the right policy sectors are involved in collaboration on the reduction of health inequalities?

- How can other policy sectors be included in collaboration on the reduction of health inequalities?

2

Harmonisation of policy objectives and priorities across the relevant policy sectors

Health inequalities are reduced if such inequalities and/or their determinants have priority in policy sectors and their reduction contributes to a shared objective.

- Is improving public health a priority within your policy sector?

- Has your policy sector worked on improving public health in the last year?

- Is the reduction of health inequalities a priority within your policy sector?

- Has your policy sector worked on reducing health inequalities in the last year?

- Has a shared health inequality reduction objective been formulated? Why, or whynot?

3

Coordinated use of policies and activities by the relevant policy sectors

Health inequalities and/or their determinants are reduced if there is coordinated use of policies and activities across various policy sectors.

- In the last year, has your policy sector worked on improving disadvantageous factors (such as low income, unemployment, low educational levels, poor living conditions, social isolation, unhealthy lifestyles, or poor quality of care)?

- What practical measures and activities has your policy sector initiated with a view to reducing health inequalities?

- Are the measures and activities in question specifically intended to reduce health inequalities, or do they have another primary aim?

4

Formalised collaboration amongst policy sectors

Health inequalities are reduced if multiple policy sectors regard the same issues as important and there are formal collaboration strategies relating to those issues.

- What forms does your collaboration with other policy sectors on the reduction of health inequalities take (e.g. exchange of information, implementation of standalone activities, coordination of activities, and working towards a shared goal)?

- What forms of collaboration has your policy sector initiated? What is desirable?

- Have definite collaborative arrangements been made with other policy sectors with a view to reducing health inequalities?

- What mechanisms are in place for consulting other policy sectors about the reduction of health inequalities?

5

Experience of collaboration amongst policy sectors and favourable contextual factors

Health inequalities are reduced if there is more intensive collaboration amongst policy sectors and if positive factors are favourably influenced.

- Have the following (individual, organisational, and political) factors had a positive influence on collaboration on the reduction of health inequalities: uniform language use, good relationships, positive experience of collaboration, key figure who can forge ties, existence of a common interest, clarity as to how one’s own policy sector can contribute, availability of adequate resources, presence of structural consultation mechanisms, urgency of the problem, support from the municipal executive for resolution of the problem, commitment of the responsible aldermen to resolution of the problem?

- What is your view of the collaborative process amongst policy sectors on the reduction of health inequalities?

- How could collaboration on the reduction of health inequalities be improved?