Getting science into policy for gun control and NHS reform

Medicine and Science from The BMJ

How science can be transformed into policy?

One of the seemingly intractable issues when it comes to legislative change in the US is gun control. One reason policy change is so difficult, is the US specific evidence vacuum, but that’s beginning to change.

We're joined by Louis Klarevas, an academic at the University of Colombia and author of the book “Rampage Nation, securing america from gun violence" and Shannon Watts, from Moms Demand Action which is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.

Even when there is evidence, the trade-offs needed for legislative change can still paralyse policy makers. Citizen assemblies, a form of democratic participation that asks the public for their views, has helped clarify some key healthcare issues, from assisted dying in Jersey, to abortion access in Ireland.

Rebecca McKee from the Institute of Government argues they could be used to fix the NHS, and joins us to explain how.

Reading list

More gun regulation, less firearm harm

Citizens’ assemblies, health, and health policy