Understanding the Role of Policy Narratives and the Public Policy Arena: Obesity as a Lesson in Public Policy Development

Abstract

As witnessed by recent national policy battles over health care and climate change, the policy environment in the United States (U.S.) is increasingly politically polarized. U.S. public policy is progressively driven by divisive symbols and dominated by morality debates often articulated in the form of emotional narratives. One such issue that has gained attention in the U.S., partially due to efforts of First Lady Michelle Obama, is the increasing levels of obesity. Obesity policy advocates warn that the U.S. is facing a crisis that impacts not only our health, but our national competitiveness; not only our military preparedness, but our national security. Our goal is not to get involved in the scientific debate over obesity and its costs to society but rather to explore the role that policy narratives and causal attribution play in determining attitudes toward obesity and obesity policy. We contend that an individual's view of obesity is shaped by their view of individual rights and responsibilities and of individual morality; and determined more by stories (especially narratives that “fit” with those views) than by science. Our paper seeks to test whether science or other factors primarily shape one's view of government's appropriate role relative to the obesity issue and to examine which of two foundational moral narratives is more convincing in the obesity policy realm. Using a sample of 172 respondents at two institutions of higher education in the United States, we find that a “Strict Father Morality” narrative was more convincing than a science statement in influencing an individual's view of obesity. Respondents believed that obesity was a serious problem, but they were deeply divided over government's role in addressing the obesity issue. Female respondents were the most supportive of governmental efforts to address obesity. We explore the potential impact of our findings for public policy development and future research.

Narrative Policy Framework in The Academic Field: A Bibliometric Examination

“…Thirdly, thematic evolution analysis demonstrates a shift in emphasis from "health care policy" and "policy analysis" to "human" and "policy making." While this reflects the field's adaptation to shifting contexts and priorities, it is essential to question whether NPF research captures the evolving nuances and complexities of health policy and to what extent this focus reflects contemporary realities (Clemons et al, 2012;Cullerton et al, 2022;Derkyi-Kwarteng et al, 2021;Wallace et al, 2020).…”

Public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland: the ExILEnS mixed-method, natural experiment evaluation

“…We have recommended support for PHTs to help them articulate clear narratives regarding the potential links between availability and harms; it would be valuable to evaluate the process and outcomes of disseminating such narratives and their impact on decision-making. 44,137 Future studies evaluating changes in availability could benefit from considering the mechanisms of change suggested by our interviewees and including relevant outcomes to add to understanding of the diverse impacts of alcohol outlets on alcohol-related harms in the long and short term.…”

Narrative Empathy

“…(2018, 183) found that “congruent narratives intensify an individual's policy stances and beliefs. As perception of congruence increases, an individual is more likely to be persuaded by the narrative.” Several NPF studies (Clemons, McBeth and Kusko 2012; Husmann 2015; Lybecker, McBeth and Kusko 2013; McBeth, Lybecker and Garner 2010) demonstrate that individuals accept narratives congruent with their prior cultural beliefs. Thus, it is likely individuals identify with those narrators who pose these narratives.…”