Civil society? What deliberative democrats can tell advocates about how to build public commitment to the health promotion agenda

Abstract

Closing the health inequity gap can be seen as an issue of justice, however what concretely best serves the interest of justice is in dispute. It is argued that standard policy-making mechanisms are inadequate to address this issue, and therefore more and better public dialogue is required. Drawing on deliberative democratic theory and practice, three public organizing considerations are offered: organizing within the state sphere, organizing within the public sphere, and using cross strategies. It is recommended that public resources be provided to involve the public in deliberations about population health promotion issues related to the wicked problem of health inequities.