Doing Health Policy Analysis: The Enduring Relevance of Simple Models Comment on “Modelling the Health Policy Process: One Size Fits All or Horses for Courses”

Abstract

The analysis of health policy processes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) emerged ‎as a research area in the early 1990s. In their recent editorial Powell and Mannion argue that ‎such research can be deepened by applying public policy theory. In response, we raise three ‎questions to consider: are public policy models fit for purpose in today’s world in LMICs (and ‎what other theory can be used)? Is using theory the most important factor in deepening such ‎research? Why do we, as researchers, do this work? Ultimately, we argue that the value of ‎simple models, such as those already used in health policy analysis, lies in their enduring ‎relevance and widespread use. They are supporting the development of the shared ‎understandings that can, in turn, provide the basis for collective action addressing inequities in ‎health and well-being.‎.