Promoting health through structural change: Analysis of the origins and implementation of Norway's farm-food-nutrition policy

Based on interviews with officials in Norway during June, 1980 and on Norwegian studies. this paper presents an analysis of the development and first years of implementation of a unique. health-important national policy. The farm-food-nutrition policy of 1975–1976 seeks to bring agricultural policy into line with national nutritional and health goals, and world food needs. As such, it represents a public health approach to primary prevention.

s analysis involves an examination of the antecedent conditions, including the enabling and constraining factors within Norway's political economy and international position, that led to the policy's design, adoption, and implementation. Within this framework, particular attention is given to the confluence of information (ideas and evidence embodied in proposals over a 20-year period) and organizational linkages that were necessary to bring about structural changes.

gress toward implementation between 1976 and 1980 is assessed according to the extent to which implementing strategies were deployed and policy objectives were met.

cussion includes prospects for further implementation and a note on the outlook for a similar approach to policy in the U.S.