Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map

William Bellew; Tracey Nau; Ben Smith; Jo-An Atkinson; Harry Rutter

doi:10.1123/jpah.2019-0121

Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map

William Bellew, Tracey Nau, Ben Smith, Jo-An Atkinson, Harry Rutter

University of Sydney

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter

31 Citations (SciVal)

439 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: The literature on whole of system approaches (WSAs) has been largely theoretical in focus. The Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity is a national project designed to contribute a practical implementation focus to such approaches at the population level. Methods: National meetings were convened with federal and state government sector stakeholders to identify physical activity (PA) related policies and programs. Policies and programs were audited to develop an understanding of the existing PA system. A WSA conceptual map for PA was developed using feedback from system stakeholders, existing WSAs, and related work in obesity. Results: Completion of the policy audit has revealed key areas of need regarding policy governance, coordination, financing, and evaluation. An initial WSA conceptual map for Australia has been developed incorporating governance, translation, and advocacy. Stakeholder co-production of an integrated framework for PA and design plans for a community of practice knowledge hub has commenced. Conclusions: In Australia, Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity project partners have developed a conceptual whole of systems map that is guiding progress beyond the theoretical to application in the real world: A national PA policy audit, co-production of an integrated PA policy framework, and planning for a PA community of practice knowledge hub.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Getting Australia Active III
Subtitle of host publication	A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers
Editors	Bill Bellew, Tracy Nau, Ben Smith, Adrian Bauman
Place of Publication	Sydney
Publisher	Sax Institute
Chapter	2
Pages	68-73
Number of pages	6
Volume	17
Edition	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2019-0121
Publication status	Published - Apr 2020

Publication series

Name	Journal of Physical Activity and Health
ISSN (Print)	1543-3080

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre (TAPPC) is a national collaboration of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, which emphasizes system approaches to prevention.13 TAPPC is the auspicing body for the Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity (ASAPa) project, undertaken at the University of Sydney Prevention Research Collaboration,14 and with funding from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund.15 Taking a systems approach to physical activity (PA) is important, given that policies and programs in Australia have been largely ineffective over 2 decades for increasing the prevalence of “adequate” PA (meeting guideline16 recommendations) in the adult population,17 and effective action requires an integrated, system-wide approach3 in consultation with policymakers and other stakeholders across multiple sectors.4 In this article, we describe the ASAPa project goals and objectives and progress to date. An initial PA system conceptual map for Australia is presented, and related strategic challenges and research needs are discussed. First steps in the practical application of this conceptual map are then discussed: a national PA policy audit, co-production of a systems-based PA policy framework, review of PA monitoring and surveillance systems, and initial planning for a PA community of practice knowledge hub.

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the valuable contributions and feedback provided by participants in 2 national workshops and the advice of the ASAPa Project Working Group. Funding for this research has been provided from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) provides funding to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and well-being of Australians. MRFF funding has been provided to The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre under the MRFF Boosting Preventive Health Research Program. Further information on the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Keywords

Government
Health promotion
Prevention
Public health
Systems thinking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1123/jpah.2019-0121

Getting-Australia-Active-III-April-2020Final published version, 9.59 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-SA

Cite this

Bellew, W., Nau, T., Smith, B., Atkinson, J.-A., & Rutter, H. (2020). Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map. In B. Bellew, T. Nau, B. Smith, & A. Bauman (Eds.), Getting Australia Active III: A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers (1 ed., Vol. 17, pp. 68-73). (Journal of Physical Activity and Health). Sax Institute. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2019-0121

Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map. / Bellew, William; Nau, Tracey; Smith, Ben et al.
Getting Australia Active III: A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers. ed. / Bill Bellew; Tracy Nau; Ben Smith; Adrian Bauman. Vol. 17 1. ed. Sydney: Sax Institute, 2020. p. 68-73 (Journal of Physical Activity and Health).

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter

Bellew, W, Nau, T, Smith, B, Atkinson, J-A & Rutter, H 2020, Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map. in B Bellew, T Nau, B Smith & A Bauman (eds), Getting Australia Active III: A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers. 1 edn, vol. 17, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, Sax Institute, Sydney, pp. 68-73. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2019-0121

Bellew W, Nau T, Smith B, Atkinson JA, Rutter H. Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map. In Bellew B, Nau T, Smith B, Bauman A, editors, Getting Australia Active III: A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers. 1 ed. Vol. 17. Sydney: Sax Institute. 2020. p. 68-73. (Journal of Physical Activity and Health). doi: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0121

Bellew, William ; Nau, Tracey ; Smith, Ben et al. / Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia : The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map. Getting Australia Active III: A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers. editor / Bill Bellew ; Tracy Nau ; Ben Smith ; Adrian Bauman. Vol. 17 1. ed. Sydney : Sax Institute, 2020. pp. 68-73 (Journal of Physical Activity and Health).

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abstract = "Background: The literature on whole of system approaches (WSAs) has been largely theoretical in focus. The Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity is a national project designed to contribute a practical implementation focus to such approaches at the population level. Methods: National meetings were convened with federal and state government sector stakeholders to identify physical activity (PA) related policies and programs. Policies and programs were audited to develop an understanding of the existing PA system. A WSA conceptual map for PA was developed using feedback from system stakeholders, existing WSAs, and related work in obesity. Results: Completion of the policy audit has revealed key areas of need regarding policy governance, coordination, financing, and evaluation. An initial WSA conceptual map for Australia has been developed incorporating governance, translation, and advocacy. Stakeholder co-production of an integrated framework for PA and design plans for a community of practice knowledge hub has commenced. Conclusions: In Australia, Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity project partners have developed a conceptual whole of systems map that is guiding progress beyond the theoretical to application in the real world: A national PA policy audit, co-production of an integrated PA policy framework, and planning for a PA community of practice knowledge hub.",

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note = "Funding Information: The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre (TAPPC) is a national collaboration of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, which emphasizes system approaches to prevention.13 TAPPC is the auspicing body for the Australian Systems Approaches to Physical Activity (ASAPa) project, undertaken at the University of Sydney Prevention Research Collaboration,14 and with funding from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund.15 Taking a systems approach to physical activity (PA) is important, given that policies and programs in Australia have been largely ineffective over 2 decades for increasing the prevalence of “adequate” PA (meeting guideline16 recommendations) in the adult population,17 and effective action requires an integrated, system-wide approach3 in consultation with policymakers and other stakeholders across multiple sectors.4 In this article, we describe the ASAPa project goals and objectives and progress to date. An initial PA system conceptual map for Australia is presented, and related strategic challenges and research needs are discussed. First steps in the practical application of this conceptual map are then discussed: a national PA policy audit, co-production of a systems-based PA policy framework, review of PA monitoring and surveillance systems, and initial planning for a PA community of practice knowledge hub. Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the valuable contributions and feedback provided by participants in 2 national workshops and the advice of the ASAPa Project Working Group. Funding for this research has been provided from the Australian Government{\textquoteright}s Medical Research Future Fund. The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) provides funding to support health and medical research and innovation, with the objective of improving the health and well-being of Australians. MRFF funding has been provided to The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre under the MRFF Boosting Preventive Health Research Program. Further information on the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Human Kinetics, Inc.",

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Whole of systems approaches to physical activity policy and practice in Australia: The ASAPa project overview and initial systems map

Abstract

Publication series

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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Cite this