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Table 1 10 features of a systems approach to tackle public health problems, adapted from NICE [9] and Garside et al. [5]

From: Whole systems approaches to obesity and other complex public health challenges: a systematic review

Identifying a system.

Explicit recognition of the public health system with the interacting, self-regulating and evolving elements of a complex adaptive system. Recognition given that a wide range of bodies with no overt interest or objectives referring to public health may have a role in the system and therefore that the boundaries of the system may be broad.

Capacity building

An explicit goal to support communities and organisations within the system.

Creativity and innovation

Mechanisms to support and encourage local creativity and/ or innovation to address public health and social problems.

Relationships

Methods of working and specific activities to develop and maintain effective relationships within and between organisations.

Engagement

Clear methods to enhance the ability of people, organisations and sectors to engage community members in programme development and delivery.

Communication

Mechanisms to support communication between actors and organisations within the system.

Embedded action and policies

Practices explicitly set out for public health and social improvement within organisations within the system.

Robust and sustainable

Clear strategies to resource existing and new projects and staff.

Facilitative leadership

Strong strategic support and appropriate resourcing developed at all levels.

Monitoring and evaluation

Well-articulated methods to provide ongoing feedback into the system, to drive change to enhance effectiveness and acceptability.