[A predictive approach to environmental health policies in France]
Briand, E
| HERO ID | 326123 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2007 |
| Title | [A predictive approach to environmental health policies in France] |
| Authors | Briand, E |
| Journal | Environnement, Risques & Sante |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Page Numbers | 21-35 |
| Abstract | During the 1990s, research activities to characterise environmental health risks grew significantly in France, providing useful tools for policy-makers in this field. Research into the management of these risks also exists, but is neither coherent on a national scale nor sufficient to deal with the issues created by the accelerated production of potentially anxiety-inducing scientific information. This article focuses on the study of public policies in environmental health and is intended to contribute to development of knowledge in this domain. Reviewing explanatory approaches to the construction of public risk management policies reveals three broad categories: “type of risk” or technical approaches that focus on ways to transform scientific knowledge into decision tools\; “public preferences and attitudes” approaches, which suggest that risk management policies are determined (or should be) by public demands\; and “interest group” approaches arguing that risk regimes are the product of the influences of various organised interests. Christopher Hood has developed a method to assess the relative weight of these approaches in actual risk regulation regimes, depending on situations and types of risks, and to analyse these regimes and compare those expected for each approach. We apply this method to French risk management policies for three risks — waterborne lead, exposure to Legionella in hotels, and exposure to asbestos in buildings. Conclusions of this explanatory exercise are consistent with Hood’s findings and point out the major relevance of the “interest groups” model, except in the area of asbestos, for which anticipation of public opinion seems to dominate. This exercise, although it may lack robustness, deserves further development to improve our understanding of the construction of environmental health policies. |
| Doi | 10.1684/ers.2007.0029 |
| Wosid | WOS:000253736000011 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Translated Title | Vers une approche prédictive des politiques de santé environnementale en France |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | French |
| Keyword | asbestos; decision-making; risk management; environmental exposure; France; health policy; lead poisoning; legionella; legislation; lobbying; public opinion |
| Is Qa | No |
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