Which element is essential for Health in All Policies at the national level?

• A. Independent health committee with no government involvement.
• B. Policy by the health ministry alone.
• C. Coordinated governance and cross-sector collaboration.
• D. Ad hoc policy adjustments with no sector input.

Answer: (C)

Health in All Policies works when government functions as a unified system, not as separate silos. Coordinated governance and cross-sector collaboration ensure that health considerations are embedded across all policy areas and that different ministries—such as health, transport, housing, education, environment, and finance—work toward shared health goals. This approach establishes mechanisms for joint planning, mutual accountability, and routine assessment of health impacts, so policies in one area don’t undermine health outcomes in another. At the national level, interministerial committees, common objectives, and health impact assessments help synchronize actions, allocate resources in ways that promote health equity, and monitor progress across sectors.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: governance that excludes government involvement lacks the authority and mandate needed to implement wide-reaching health considerations; relying on the health ministry alone misses the determinants of health that lie outside health care; ad hoc changes without sector input produce inconsistent policies and missed opportunities to improve health.