# Confronting "Socio-Political Inertia" on the Long and Winding Road to "Healthy Societies": Comment on "How to Build Healthy Societies: A Thematic Analysis of Relevant Conceptual Frameworks"

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges in creating healthy societies due to socio-political inertia and suggests ways to overcome it.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the concept of socio-political inertia as a barrier to creating healthy societies.

## Key findings

- Socio-political inertia has hindered societal transformation despite enabling policies.
- Policy documents can help understand how to advance healthy societies.
- Building coalitions is essential to turn the vision of healthy societies into reality.

## Abstract

The vision to create "Healthy Societies" is a reiteration of "Health for All" first made in the Declaration of Alma-Ata almost half a century ago. We contend that this long journey is due to "Socio-Political Inertia" that has prevented societies from transforming even in the presence of enabling policies. The analysis of policy documents by Nambiar et al could help set the stage for understanding how best to advance healthy societies, but the aspirations expressed in documents require active engagement and implementation to enable societal change. We first draw inspiration from the convergence of multiple streams in Kingdon’s model in exploring how to chart the journey toward healthy societies. We then argue that the vision of healthy societies should be articulated in ways that speak to the different societies that will own it and build coalitions to turn this vision into reality.