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Systems
Special Issues
Systems Practice in Public Health
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Systems Practice in Public Health

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 22097

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Leandro Garcia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
Interests: Complexity Science; Public Health; Urban Environment; Physical Activity Behaviour; Agent-based Modelling; Social Network Analysis
Dr. Ruth Hunter

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
Interests: Complexity Science; Urban Environment; NCD Prevention; Social Network Analysis
Dr. Jason Thompson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Transport, Health and Urban Design Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: Complexity Science; Public Health; System Dynamics Modelling; Transport and Health Systems Modelling; Agent-based Modelling; Social Network Analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Calls to expand the application of complexity science and systems thinking in public health efforts have been increasing rapidly over the last decade. However, these calls have translated into few practical applications, particularly on knowledge transfer and policy. Furthermore, only a limited range of complexity and systems concepts and methods are being currently mobilised by those dedicated to improving the public’s health.

This Special Issue helps to address these two gaps by (a) providing a dedicated space for examples of systems practice in public health and (b) encouraging the submission of works that provide new insights on how complexity and systems concepts and methods can be used to understand and address public health issues.

Contributors are invited to present works that contain a strong practical application component regardless of the methodological approach used (e.g., case studies, modelling, surveys, experiments), providing it is adequate to investigate or intervene in complex systems. Examples of topics of interest related to systems practice in public health include, but are not limited to:

  • Urban health;
  • Health inequalities;
  • Health-related behaviours;
  • Methodological advances in systems practice in public health.
  • Non-communicable diseases;
  • Infectious diseases;
  • Healthy ageing;
  • Social determinants of health;
  • Health policy and Health in All Policies;
  • Health care services;

Pre-submission inquires to the guest editors are welcome.

Dr. Leandro Garcia
Dr. Ruth Hunter
Dr. Jason Thompson
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 330 KiB  
Article
Embedded Researchers as Part of a Whole Systems Approach to Physical Activity: Reflections and Recommendations
by Alexandra J. Potts, James Nobles, Katie Shearn, Kara Danks and Gabriella Frith
Systems 2022, 10(3), 69; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/systems10030069 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3970
Abstract
Whole systems approaches are increasingly being advocated as a way of responding to complex public health priorities such as obesity and physical inactivity. Due to the complex and adaptive nature of such systems, researchers are increasingly being embedded within host organisations (i.e., those [...] Read more.
Whole systems approaches are increasingly being advocated as a way of responding to complex public health priorities such as obesity and physical inactivity. Due to the complex and adaptive nature of such systems, researchers are increasingly being embedded within host organisations (i.e., those which facilitate the whole systems approach) to work with key stakeholders to illuminate and understand mechanisms of change and develop a culture of continuous improvement. While previous literature has reported on the benefits and challenges of embedded researchers in health care, little is known about the experiences and learnings of those situated within these complex whole systems approaches. In this paper, we present our reflections of being embedded researchers within four distinct whole systems approaches and outline recommendations and considerations for commissioners working with or seeking support from an embedded researcher. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)
11 pages, 1714 KiB  
Communication
Developing Complexity-Informed COVID-19 Responses to Optimize Community Well-Being: A Systems Thinking Approach
by Stephanie Bogdewic and Rohit Ramaswamy
Systems 2021, 9(3), 68; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/systems9030068 - 11 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4057
Abstract
Despite a range of federal and state interventions to slow the spread of COVID-19, the US has seen millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. Top-down mandates have been ineffective because the community spread of the pandemic has been influenced by [...] Read more.
Despite a range of federal and state interventions to slow the spread of COVID-19, the US has seen millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths. Top-down mandates have been ineffective because the community spread of the pandemic has been influenced by complex local dynamics that have evolved over time. Systems thinking approaches, specifically causal loop diagrams, and leverage points, are important techniques for representing complexity at the local level and identifying responsive systems change opportunities. This commentary presents a causal loop diagram highlighting the progressive effects of prolonged state-level COVID-19 mandates at the community level. We also identify potential system leverage points that address these effects and present an imagined future state causal loop diagram in which these solutions are implemented. Our future system demonstrates the importance of collaborations to enable community-driven, bottom-up approaches to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, that are adaptive and responsive to local needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)
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20 pages, 4854 KiB  
Article
Coalition-Committees as Network Interventions: Baseline Network Composition in Context of Childhood Obesity Prevention Interventions
by Travis R. Moore, Mark C. Pachucki, Larissa Calancie, Ariella R. Korn, Erin Hennessy and Christina D. Economos
Systems 2021, 9(3), 66; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/systems9030066 - 03 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2618
Abstract
Community coalitions can address local issues with deep, historic, and contextual understanding that enables customized implementation of evidence-based strategies. The individuals within the coalition, their partnerships, and the social context is likely an important component of unraveling the challenges of implementation so interventions [...] Read more.
Community coalitions can address local issues with deep, historic, and contextual understanding that enables customized implementation of evidence-based strategies. The individuals within the coalition, their partnerships, and the social context is likely an important component of unraveling the challenges of implementation so interventions reach people in need. We focus on the relevance of baseline coalition-committee network (CCN), the networks of purposely formed subcommittees within community coalitions, structure as one of the moderating, theoretical links between community coalition social networks and intervention success. We explore the baseline composition and characteristics of five CCNs at the beginning of childhood obesity prevention interventions. Using a combination of social network, multidimensional scaling, and correspondence analyses, we examine the structure and heterogeneity of five CCNs, each consisting of a core group of stakeholders in the coalition and sometimes the broader community itself. Cross-sectional analyses are used to examine the composition of coalition-committees related to network density, centralization, hierarchy, and coalition demographics and characteristics. Results indicate that CCNs are patterned in their structure and characteristics, and we discuss whether adjustments to childhood obesity prevention interventions according to baseline structure and characteristics could be advantageous for intervention implementation. Together, these findings can inform future longitudinal investigations into CCN network structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)
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18 pages, 512 KiB  
Article
From Understanding to Impactful Action: Systems Thinking for Systems Change in Chronic Disease Prevention Research
by Melanie Pescud, Lucie Rychetnik, Steven Allender, Michelle J. Irving, Diane T. Finegood, Therese Riley, Ray Ison, Harry Rutter and Sharon Friel
Systems 2021, 9(3), 61; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/systems9030061 - 06 Aug 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6297
Abstract
Within the field of chronic disease prevention, research efforts have moved to better understand, describe, and address the complex drivers of various health conditions. Change-making is prominent in this paper, and systems thinking and systems change are prioritised as core elements of prevention [...] Read more.
Within the field of chronic disease prevention, research efforts have moved to better understand, describe, and address the complex drivers of various health conditions. Change-making is prominent in this paper, and systems thinking and systems change are prioritised as core elements of prevention research. We report how the process of developing a theory of systems change can assist prevention research to progress from understanding systems, towards impactful action within those systems. Based on Foster-Fishman and Watson’s ABLe change framework, a Prevention Systems Change Framework (PSCF) was adapted and applied to an Australian case study of the drivers of healthy and equitable eating as a structured reflective practice. The PSCF comprises four components: building a systemic lens on prevention, holding a continual implementation focus, integrating the systemic lens and implementation focus, and developing a theory of change. Application of the framework as part of a systemic evaluation process enabled a detailed and critical assessment of the healthy and equitable eating project goals and culminated in the development of a theory of prevention systems change specific to that project, to guide future research and action. Arguably, if prevention research is to support improved health outcomes, it must be more explicitly linked to creating systems change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)
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11 pages, 2490 KiB  
Study Protocol
Developing System-Oriented Interventions and Policies to Reduce Car Dependency for Improved Population Health in Belfast: Study Protocol
by Ruth F. Hunter, Claire L. Cleland, Frank Kee, Alberto Longo, Brendan Murtagh, John Barry, Gary McKeown and Leandro Garcia
Systems 2021, 9(3), 62; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/systems9030062 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3777
Abstract
Reducing car dependency requires orchestrated multi-sectoral, multi-policy action in a complex landscape. Thus, development of proposed interventions to reduce car dependency should be informed by systems thinking, complexity science, and socio-technical transition theory. We aim to co-design sustainable systems-oriented intervention approaches to reduce [...] Read more.
Reducing car dependency requires orchestrated multi-sectoral, multi-policy action in a complex landscape. Thus, development of proposed interventions to reduce car dependency should be informed by systems thinking, complexity science, and socio-technical transition theory. We aim to co-design sustainable systems-oriented intervention approaches to reduce car dependency in Belfast. The study includes seven integrated tasks—1: Map stakeholders and partnerships influencing car dependency using stakeholder network analysis; 2: A review of systematic reviews regarding interventions to reduce car dependency; 3: Map-related policies via analysis of policy documents and semi-structured interviews; 4: A participatory group model building workshop to co-produce a shared understanding of the complex system perpetuating car dependency and a transition vision; 5: Using Discrete Choice Experiments, survey road users to evaluate the importance of transport infrastructure attributes on car dependency and on alternative modes of travel; 6: Citizen juries will ‘sense-check’ possible actions; and, 7: Stakeholders will interpret the findings, plan orchestrated multi-sectoral action, and agree on ways to sustain collaborations towards the common vision of reducing car dependency. We expect to attain a systemic view of the car dependency issue, potential intervention approaches to reduce it, and a framework for their integration through the co-ordination of stakeholder actions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)
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