To Advance Public Health Policies, We Use an Approach To Research We Call Strategic Science
Most of the time, scientists generate research questions based on what they think is interesting and important. This approach obviously yields valuable discoveries, but it also means that scientists do not always have answers to the questions that urgently plague policymakers. Unfortunately, scientists and policymakers infrequently communicate, and it is rare for them to work together to formulate a program of research. We often work with policymakers and influencers to identify and answer the research questions that they most need answered. We call this approach Strategic Science because it involves being strategic in my selection of research topics and questions so as to increase the effectiveness of behavioral policies.
To carry out this policy-relevant research, we collaborate with change agents who are in a position to make or influence policy. Our partners include government policymakers, regulators or legal officials, community groups, and national and international health advocacy organizations. We also work with academic partners and research institutions around the world.
The Strategic Science Model
Identify Change Agents
Ask Strategic Questions
Conduct Rigorous Research
Communicate results to Change Agents
In the PEACH lab, we aim to work with policymakers and influencers to identify and answer the research questions that they most need answered. We call this approach Strategic Science, because it involves being strategic in our selection of research topics and questions so as to increase the effectiveness of behavioral policies. To carry out this policy-relevant research, we collaborate with change agents who are in a position to make or influence policy.
Our partners include government policymakers, regulator or legal officials, community groups, and national and international health advocacy organizations. We also work with academic partners and research institutions around the world.
Food Policies to Improve Dietary Habits
Dr. Roberto has written a number of papers discussing food policies to improve diet. In a special Lancet issue on obesity, she and her colleagues describe the biological, psychological, social, and environmental forces that encourage over eating of unhealthy foods.
Roberto has argued that environmental policies are necessary to reverse the obesity epidemic.
She has also co-authored another recent paper on public health policies to encourage healthier eating habits and has written about these ideas in popular media
Examples of our research informing change agents and policies
- The design of sodium warning labels on restaurant menus in Philadelphia
- The design of national restaurant calorie labeling
- The halting of the misleading Smart Choices front-of-package labeling initiative
- Debates surrounding sugary drink health warning labels
