Cent Eur J Public Health 2012, 20(4):287-293 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3764

Civil Society Organisations and Public Health Research - Evidence from Eight European Union New Member States

Agnese Knabe1, Mark McCarthy2
1 Skalbes Foundation, Riga, Latvia
2 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK

Introduction: Civil society organisations (CSO) are not-for-profit, non-governmental organisations operating in the public interest. They are the "third sector" that is strongly developed in Western European countries, ensuring the link between citizens and government and working as a counterbalance to the business sector. Their role in support of public health research deserves attention.

Methods: Within a broader European study (STEPS - Strengthening Engagement in Public Health Research), public health organisations in eight European Union new member states (Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) identified national CSOs with interests in health. A questionnaire was developed jointly, translated into national languages and sent by e-mail to 474 organisations, with 128 completed responses (27%).

Results: Most CSOs would like to be more involved in setting or advising on public-health research policy, and greater collaboration between CSOs, professional organisations and governmental institutions. Respondents did not see CSOs directly doing research, but recommended mobilizing researchers and organsations, supporting research themes, and lobbying to use public health evidence in policy and decision-making. They could receive more education for, and discussion of, public health research, and offer support in applying for research funding.

Conclusion: Civil society organisations can contribute importantly in setting public health research agendas. Research commissioning should give greater recognition of this role, improve links between CSOs, researchers and governmental institutions, and develop a stronger shared basis for public health policy and practice.

Keywords: research policy, Europe, public health, survey, civil society

Received: January 25, 2012; Revised: September 21, 2012; Accepted: September 21, 2012; Published: December 1, 2012  Show citation

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Knabe A, McCarthy M. Civil Society Organisations and Public Health Research - Evidence from Eight European Union New Member States. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2012;20(4):287-293. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3764. PubMed PMID: 23441396.
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