Developing a policy package for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran

Abstract

Abstract Background: Regarding the increased rate of incidence and burden of gastrointestinal cancers and lack of a comprehensive policy package for the prevention of these cancers in Iran, doing such a research is of high importance. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of developing a policy package for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was undertaken in five steps. Different methods of document review, meta-synthesis, qualitative study, and Delphi technique were used in this research. The main framework, which guided researchers to organize the findings of policy analysis, was “policy triangle framework”. Results: This study yielded 27 policy options for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran. All of these options require inter-sectoral coordination of non-health sectors and health sectors. The developed policy package brings together policy options in three domains of health-enhancing environments, systems change, and behavior change communication and 11 policy areas (labeling and packaging, create healthy and safe settings, fiscal policies, marketing restrictions, improve the food and drink supply, incentives in communities, healthy urban designs, integrate actions across sections, inform people, counseling in healthcare, education and skills). Conclusion: Preventing non-communicable diseases and cancers is a multi-dimensional issue that requires inter-sectoral collaboration of non-health sectors and health sectors. For these policy options to be successfully implemented, it is crucial to resolve the conflict of interest between the Ministry of health and other non-health sector, using win-win strategies.