On July 30th, a community of experts gathered virtually for a riveting 90-minute webinar titled “The Politics of Data for Child Health and Wellbeing.” This webinar aimed to unravel how data, particularly in child health, intertwines with political processes, shaping policies and outcomes in profound ways.
As the webinar began, the moderator, Kara Hanson, a Professor of Health System Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Public Health and Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, welcomed participants and set the stage for an engaging discussion. An interactive poll revealed a striking consensus: nearly everyone agreed that data in child health policy discussions is used “definitely politically.” This highlighted a key point – that data is more than just numbers; it can also be a powerful tool in the hands of those with political goals.
In an insightful video message, Helen Clark, who served as Prime Minister of New Zealand and currently serves on a number of public good boards, including as Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), shared her perspective. Drawing from her extensive experience as both a politician and global health leader, she stated, “Take it from me, we would be naive to think that data is neutral or doesn’t have political meanings and uses.” She emphasised that even data analysed using valid and rigorous methods still represents certain viewpoints and political choices. Her words resonated with the audience, emphasising the need for transparency and critical evaluation of these underlying forces.
Take it from me, we would be naive to think that data is neutral or doesn’t have political meanings and uses- Helen Clark.
Following Helen Clark were presentations from Malvikha Manoj (UNICEF), Helia Molina (former Minister of Health and head of the transformative Chile Crece Contigo programme), Anthony Costello (Professor of Global Health and Sustainable Development at University College London, founder and chair of the international Lancet Countdown for Climate Action and Health, and senior adviser to the Children in All Policies 2030 programme supported by WHO, UNICEF and the Lancet), and a panel discussion with Kwame Sakyi (Center for Child Health and Development – Ghana), Divya Ravindranath (Indian Institute for Human Settlement), and Mary Kinney (University of the Western Cape, South Africa).
The webinar was not recorded to allow for free, unfiltered discussion amongst the participants – thus the other remarks mentioned in this article are not attributed to them by name.
Panelists agreed that the nature of data itself is political. As one panelist noted, the very existence or absence of certain data points is a political choice. What we choose to measure and how we present it reflects underlying political decisions, shaping the narrative around child health and steering policy priorities in specific directions.
Another speaker expanded on this idea by discussing the top-down approach often employed in work using data dashboards. These tools, while designed to provide clear insights accessible to many groups, frequently miss opportunities to engage communities directly. This top-down methodology can overlook the nuanced needs and perspectives of those most affected by the data, leading to less inclusive policymaking.
The webinar also explored the narrative aspect of data. A panelist pointed out that the creation of data narratives – who writes them and from which perspective – takes on inherently political meanings. Those in power often craft these narratives, potentially skewing the interpretation and focus of the data to align with their agendas.
Ownership of data within government entities further complicates the landscape. Different groups may resist sharing data to maintain control or influence over policy decisions. This resistance can stifle collaborative efforts and hinder the development of comprehensive child health policies.
One key insight from the conversation was that young children, the primary subjects of child health data, lack a political voice. They cannot advocate for their own needs, making them vulnerable to the whims of political decision-makers. This absence of representation adds a layer of complexity to how their health and wellbeing are addressed in policy discussions.
As the webinar ended, it was clear that the implementation and interpretation of data visualisation tools like data dashboards are deeply entangled with political dynamics. The speakers’ comments highlighted the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and critical scrutiny in using data to inform child health policies.
Participants’ comments in the chat and in the Q&A showed that the discussion had highlighted the importance of acknowledging and navigating the political dimensions of data. As we move forward, these reflections will be instrumental in guiding more equitable and effective policy development for child health and wellbeing.
Explore the Full Report
The insights shared during the webinar have been captured in a detailed report, providing an analysis of the discussions and key takeaways. This report dives deeper into the political dynamics of data in child health and wellbeing, highlighting the expert perspectives and recommendations shared during the event.
Download the cap-2030-webinar_politics-of-data_report_jul24-3 to explore the complete findings and continue the conversation on how data shapes policies for child health.
