Publication: Making Policies with Numbers
Master data
| Title: | Making Policies with Numbers |
| Subtitle: | |
| Abstract: | Numbers are essential for decision-making in health policy. Sheila Jasanoff (2005) has argued prominently that, particularly in the USA, policy-making relies heavily on quantified data. Numerical data enjoy the nimbus of objectivity and suggest that political decisions can be made on the grounds of sound science. Although reliable evidence is crucial for decision-making processes it is equally important to shed more light on the processes by which scientific data are brought about, interpreted and operationalised for decision-making processes. It is my goal to discuss newborn screening as a case of health policy-making that is based on the use of scientifically produced numerical data. It has been found that screening policies vary significantly amongst European countries, but that these observed differences cannot be explained by the scientific basis of newborn screening (Bodamer et al. 2007, Pollitt 2006). Consequently policies must be different. It is my argument that not only the role of numerical data and scientific evidence varies significantly amongst national forms of collective decision making, but also the ways in which decision-making processes are displayed to the public. Austria, which I will contrast from the UK, does not aim to create legitimacy for the design of its screening programme by publicly displaying the scientific data on the subject. This may explain why it has the most comprehensive screening programme in Europe. Furthermore different cut-off values as applied for the detection of inborn disorders (e.g. CF) can be associated with the different legal traditions of North America and continental Europe. |
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| Publication type: | Reference or textbook (Editor) |
| Publication date: | 2009 (Print) |
| Title of the series: | - |
| Volume number: | - |
| First publication: | Yes |
| Total number of pages: | 52 pp. |
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| Keine Version vorhanden |
| Publication date: | 2009 |
| ISBN: | - |
| ISSN: | - |
| Homepage: | - |
Assignment
| Organisation | Address | ||||
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Fakultät für Sozialwissenschaften
Institut für Technik- und Wissenschaftsforschung
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AT - 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee |
Publisher
| Organisation | Address | ||
|---|---|---|---|
ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum (The University of Edinburgh, College of Humanities and Social Science)
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GB
Edinburgh |
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