Next steps on civil society and health policy

Abstract

This commentary responds to a recent discussion in the International Journal of Health Policy and Management (IJHPM) about civil society inputs to health policy. That exchange rightly underscored important issues regarding definitions, institutional mechanisms, complementary knowledges, and political economy dynamics. Further development of this important discussion could address six matters, respectively concerning broadening the literature coverage, widening the concept of civil society, enlarging the database, examining possible downsides of civil society input, strengthening theorization, and informing policy practice. This commentary offers suggestions on each of these six lines.