Policy evaluation network - Public policies addressing health-related behaviours in Europe

Description

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global mortality, responsible for 41 million deaths each year. Successful policy actions to address physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and sedentary behaviour have the potential to influence the health and well-being of an entire population. At the public policy level, actions must be initiated, coordinated, and implemented to improve opportunities for the entire population to engage in healthier physical activity and diet.

As part of the Joint Programming Initiative on a Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life (JPI HDHL, www.healthydietforhealthylife.eu), 28 research institutes from seven European countries and New Zealand have combined their expertise to form a Policy Evaluation Network (PEN) with the vision to provide Europe with tools to identify, evaluate and benchmark policies that directly or indirectly address physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and sedentary behaviour, taking into account existing health inequalities.

The PEN project ended in July 2022 after a six-month extension. Through a series of consortium-wide activities, network meetings, presentations at (inter)national conferences and capacity-building workshops with policy makers PEN met and exceeded its objectives. PEN has published the first EU Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) for Europe and the first Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI). A set of Selected Instruments for Multilevel PoLicy and impact Evaluation (SIMPLE) modules for physical activity and diet were developed and an expert-led Methodologic Competence Platform (MCP) was created to guide and support the process of data harmonization across Europe in the long term. PEN researchers also created simulation models, applied multiple research designs and used innovative online research methods –despite COVID-19 limitations– to produce more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. These include meta-, systematic- and narrative-reviews that advance, summarize and consolidate the last evidence on policy determinants, frameworks, instruments and research methods. PEN has improved our understanding of the unintended impact of policies on low-income individuals, and has provided monitoring through its Early Career Network and encouraged changes within JPI programmes to support early career professionals.

Organized by PEN, the H2020 CO-CREATE and STOP projects and Best-ReMaP Joint Action, the Policy Symposium on NCDs prevention in Brussels (June 2022), culminated in a Call To Action outlining key policy, research and funding priorities for obesity prevention:

https://www.jpi-pen.eu/images/reports/Policy_Symposium_Final_Statement_Oct2022.pdf

In summary, PEN has presented a comprehensive roadmap for improving health promotion and prevention policies for non-communicable diseases, including obesity.

Funding period

Begin:   February 2019
End:   July 2022

Sponsor

  • Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Contact

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfgang Ahrens

Cooperation

  • Dr Olivier Allais (Alimentation et Sciences Sociales (INRA ALISS))
  • Prof Hermann Brenner (German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ))
  • Dr Peter Gelius (Friedrich‐Alexander University, Institute of Sport Science and Sport (FAU-ISS))
  • Dr Janas Harrington (University College Cork (CHDR))
  • Dr Carlijn Kamphuis (Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University (HUL))
  • Prof Thomas Kubiak (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU))
  • Dr Jeroen Lakerveld (Amsterdam UMC (Vumc))
  • Dr Michael Laxy (Helmholtz Zentrum München (T-HMGU))
  • Prof Nanna Lien (University of Oslo, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (UiO-PHN))
  • Prof Aleksandra Luszczynska (SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities (SWPS))
  • Prof Mario Mazzocchi (University of Bologna (UNIBO))
  • Dr Joerg J. Meerpohl (Medical Center - University of Freiburg (CG-IEM))
  • Dr Gert Mensink (Robert Koch Institute (RKI))
  • Prof Daniele Moro (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC))
  • Dr Laurent Muller (Grenoble Applied Economics Laboratory, French National Institute of Agricultural Research (GAEL-INRA))
  • Dr Celine Murrin (University College Dublin (UCD-PH))
  • Dr Eva Rehfuess (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (EBPH-LMU))
  • Dr Piotr Romaniuk (Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (SILVer))
  • Dr Gun Roos (Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet))
  • Prof Ingrid Steenhuis (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU-P&P))
  • Prof Juergen Steinacker (University of Ulm, Division of Sport and Rehabilitation Medicine (UULM))
  • Prof Karien Stronks (Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam (PHP-DP))
  • Prof Frank van Lenthe (Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam (SocialEpiEMCR))
  • Dr Stefanie Vandevijvere (University of Auckland (UOA))
  • Prof Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis (Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS))
  • Prof Catherine Woods (University of Limerick (UL))
  • Prof Joanna Zukowska (Gdansk University of Technlogy (GUT))

Link

Project website

Selected project-related publications

    Articles with peer-review

  • Forberger S, Reisch LA, Meshkovska B, Lobczowska K, Scheller D, Wendt J, Christianson L, Frense J, Steinacker J, Luszczynska A, Zeeb H, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Sugar-sweetened beverage tax implementation processes: Results of a scoping review. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2022;20:33.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-022-00832-3
  • Lobczowska K, Banik A, Brukalo K, Forberger S, Kubiak T, Romaniuk P, Scheidmeir M, Scheller D, Steinacker J, Wendt J, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Bekker MPM, Zeeb H, Luszczynska A. Meta-review of implementation determinants for policies promoting healthy diet and physically active lifestyle: Application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implementation Science. 2022;17:2.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-021-01176-2
  • Lobczowska K, Banik A, Romaniuk P, Forberger S, Kubiak T, Meshkovska B, Neumann-Podczaska A, Kaczmarek K, Sheidmeir M, Wendt J, Scheller D, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Steinacker J, Zeeb H, Luszczynska A. Frameworks for implementation of policies promoting healthy nutrition and physically active lifestyle: Systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2022;19:16.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01242-4
  • Messing S, Forberger S, Woods C, Abu-Omar K, Gelius P. Politik zur Bewegungsförderung in Deutschland: Eine Analyse anhand eines Policy-Audit-Tools der Weltgesundheitsorganisation. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz. 2022;65(1):107-115.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-021-03403-z
  • Niedermaier T, Gredner T, Kuznia S, Schöttker B, Mons U, Lakerveld J, Ahrens W, Brenner H, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Vitamin D food fortification in European countries: The underused potential to prevent cancer deaths. European Journal of Epidemiology. 2022;37(4):309-320.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-022-00867-4
  • von Philipsborn P, Geffert K, Klinger C, Hebestreit A, Stratil J, Rehfuess E, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Nutrition policies in Germany: A systematic assessment with the Food Environment Policy Index. Public Health Nutrition. 2022;25(6):1691-1700.
    https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021004742
  • Gelius P, Messing S, Forberger S, Lakerveld J, Mansergh F, Wendel-Vos W, Zukowska J, Woods C, on behalf of the PEN consortium. The added value of using the HEPA PAT for physical activity policy monitoring: A four-country comparison. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2021;19:22.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-021-00681-6
  • Klinger C, Geffert K, Hebestreit A, Rehfuess E, von Philipsborn P. Schaffung gesunder Ernährungsumfelder: Ergebnisse des Food-EPI. Public Health Forum. 2021;29(4):315-318.
    https://doi.org/10.1515/pubhef-2021-0088
  • Rosas LG, Mensink GBM, Finger JD, Schienkiewitz A, Do S, Wolters M, Stanley I, Abu Omar K, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Woods CB, Murrin CM, Ahrens W, Hebestreit A, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Selection of key indicators for European policy monitoring and surveillance for dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2021;18:48.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01111-0
  • Volf K, Kelly L, García Bengoechea E, Casey B, Gobis A, Lakerveld J, Zukowska J, Gelius P, Messing S, Forberger S, Woods C. Policy Evaluation Network (PEN): Protocol for systematic literature reviews examining the evidence for impact of policies on physical activity across seven different policy domains. HRB Open Research. 2021;3:62.
    https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13089.3
  • Woods CB, Volf K, Kelly L, Casey B, Gelius P, Messing S, Forberger S, Lakerveld J, Zukowska J, García Bengoechea E. The evidence for the impact of policy on physical activity outcomes within the school setting: A systematic review. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2021;10(3):263-276.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.01.006
  • Lakerveld J, Woods C, Hebestreit A, Brenner H, Flechtner-Mors M, Harrington JM, Kamphuis C, Laxy M, Luszczynska A, Mazzocchi M, Murrin CM, Poelman M, Steenhuis I, Roos G, Steinacker J, Stock C, van Lenthe FJ, Zeeb H, Zukowska J, Ahrens W, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Advancing the evidence base for public policies impacting on dietary behaviour, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Europe: The Policy Evaluation Network promoting a multidisciplinary approach. Food Policy. 2020;96:101873.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101873
  • Zähringer J, Schwingshackl L, Movsisyan A, Stratil J, Capacci S, Steinacker J, Forberger S, Ahrens W, Küllenberg de Gaudry D, Schünemann H, Meerpohl JJ, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Use of the GRADE approach in health policymaking and evaluation: A scoping review of nutrition and physical activity policies. Implementation Science. 2020;15:37.
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-020-00984-2
  • Hebestreit A, Thumann B, Wolters M, Bucksch J, Huybrechts I, Inchley J, Lange C, Lien N, Manz K, Slimani N, van der Ploeg H, Ahrens W, on behalf of the DEDIPAC consortium. Road map towards a harmonized pan-European surveillance of obesity-related lifestyle behaviours and their determinants in children and adolescents. International Journal of Public Health. 2019;64(4):615-623.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01227-y

    • Presentations at scientific meetings/conferences (invited)

  • Hebestreit A. Etablierung eines gesamteuropäischen Monitoring- und Surveillance Systems zur Gesundheitsüberwachung in jungen und erwachsenen Bevölkerungsgruppen. Seminarreihe Epidemiologie und Biostatistik des Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 28. Januar 2022, Online-Vortrag.
  • Ahrens W. Surveillance and policy evaluation. Joint Conference between STOP & Joint Action Best-ReMaP on Policy Solutions for Childhood Obesity, 17-18 November 2021, online presentation.
  • Hebestreit A. Practice examples from EU surveillance systems - Approaches for harmonisation. The WHO/Europe training course on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): Surveillance, implementation and evaluation, 30 September 2021, online presentation.
  • Hebestreit A. Aus den Nähten geplatzt - Herausforderungen an unsere Ernährungssysteme. 15. Bremer Ernährungsmedizinisches Forum, 23. Juni 2021, Online-Vortrag.
  • Hebestreit A. Herausforderungen an die Kinder- und Jugendgesundheit in Europa. Jubiläumsveranstaltung 10 Jahre Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsstrategie des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit und Konsumentenschutz (BMASGK) Österreich, 9. November 2021, Online-Vortrag.
  • Ahrens W, Woods C, Lakerveld J. Policy Evaluation Network (PEN) - Public policies addressing health-related behaviours in Europe. Meeting of the STOP General Assembly & Steering Committee, 19-21 June 2019, Paris.
  • Forberger S, Zeeb H, Gelius P, Messing S. Erfassung der Bewegungsförderungspolitik der Bundesländer. 171. Sportreferentenkonferenz, 11.-12. September 2019, Bremen.
  • Ahrens W, on behalf of the DEDIPAC consortium. Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity Knowledge Hub - Accomplishments. BMBF Fachgespräch zur Forschungsagenda der JPI HDHL, 27. Juni 2018, Berlin.
  • Ahrens W, Woods C, Lakerveld J, on behalf of the PEN consortium. PEN - Public policies addressing health-related behaviours in Europe, ERA-HDHL Joint Funding Action. Kick-off-Meeting for Co-Create, 27-28 June 2018, Oslo, Norway.
  • Ahrens W, Woods C, Lakerveld J, on behalf of the PEN consortium. PEN - Public policies addressing health-related behaviours in Europe, ERA-HDHL Joint Funding Action. BMBF Fachgespräch zur Forschungsagenda der JPI HDHL, 27. Juni 2018, Berlin.

    • Presentations at scientific meetings/conferences

  • Forberger S, Reisch LA, Meshkovska B, Lobczowska K, Scheller D, Wendt J, Christianson L, Frense J, Steinacker J, Luszczynska A, Zeeb H. Implementation processes of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes. ISBNPA XChange Initiative, 8-10 June 2021, online presentation.
  • Forberger S, Reisch LA, Meshkovska B, Lobczowska K, Scheller D, Wendt J, Christianson L, Frense J, Steinacker J, Luszczynska A, Zeeb H. Implementation pathways of public physical activity policies. 8th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH), 12-14 October 2021, online presentation.
  • Ahrens W, on behalf of the PEN consortium. Evaluation of policy measures to promote a healthy diet and physical activity - The PEN project. 16th World Congress on Public Health, 12-16 October 2020, online presentation.
  • Do S, Murrin CM, Hebestreit A. Key indicators for harmonized European population health surveillance: An iterative approach. 16th World Congress on Public Health, 12-16 October 2020, online presentation.
  • Ahrens W, Woods C, Lakerveld J. PEN - Policy Evaluation Network: Expert workshop on surveillance indicators (WP2). Policy Evaluation Network (PEN) Expert Workshop, 26-27 September 2019, Berlin.

    • Posters at scientific meetings/conferences

  • Forberger S, Gelius P, Messing S, Volf K, Kelly L, Taylor S, Zukowska J, Lakerveld J, Woods C. Sub-national structures matter when evaluating physical activity promotion: Lessons from Germany. 16th World Congress on Public Health, 12-16 October 2020, online poster.