Introduction
Integrating scientific knowledge into nutrition policy is a longstanding challenge. The 2020 Canada Food Guide offers valuable insights into how evidence can be effectively used in policy-making processes. This blog explores key takeaways from the research article "Governing evidence use in the nutrition policy process: evidence and lessons from the 2020 Canada food guide" and how practitioners can apply these findings to improve their skills.
The Good Governance of Evidence
The concept of "good governance of evidence" is central to the 2020 Canada Food Guide's approach. This framework incorporates multiple normative principles of scientific and democratic best practices to evaluate evidence advisory systems. The eight principles include:
- Quality: Ensuring high-quality evidence is used, considering methodological principles appropriate to the research question.
- Appropriateness: Selecting evidence that meets policy needs and reflects the social context.
- Rigor: Applying systematic and thorough methods for evidence gathering and synthesis.
- Representation: Ensuring decision-making reflects the needs and values of the population served.
- Stewardship: Guiding advisory bodies with a public-serving mandate and managing conflicts of interest.
- Deliberation: Engaging the public in the policy process to ensure legitimacy and improve guideline uptake.
- Contestability: Allowing room for scientific disagreement and ensuring evidence processes are open to scrutiny.
- Transparency: Making information accessible and ensuring decisions are arrived at fairly.
Applying the Framework
The 2020 Canada Food Guide process exemplifies how these principles can be applied to improve evidence use. Key improvements included institutionalizing an evidence review cycle, which mandates regular and periodic evidence reviews, and banning industry-commissioned reports to ensure quality and reduce potential bias. By considering socioeconomic and cultural factors, the process improved the appropriateness of evidence used.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners can enhance their skills by incorporating the principles of good governance of evidence into their practice. This involves:
- Ensuring evidence quality by applying appropriate methodological criteria.
- Engaging with diverse evidence sources that reflect the social context of the population served.
- Implementing rigorous processes for evidence gathering and synthesis.
- Promoting transparency and public engagement in the decision-making process.
Encouraging Further Research
While the 2020 Canada Food Guide process represents a significant improvement, there is still room for further research and refinement. Practitioners are encouraged to explore the principles of good governance of evidence in their own contexts and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on improving evidence use in policy-making.
Conclusion
The 2020 Canada Food Guide offers valuable lessons for improving evidence use in nutrition policy. By applying the principles of good governance of evidence, practitioners can enhance their skills and contribute to more effective and legitimate policy-making processes.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Governing evidence use in the nutrition policy process: evidence and lessons from the 2020 Canada food guide.
