THE CONFERENCE ON BEHAVIOURAL INSIGHTS IN POLICYMAKING FOR PRODUCTIVITY
The Conference on Behavioural Insights in Policymaking for Productivity, organized by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), took place on April 21 and 22 at MATRADE, Kuala Lumpur. The event provided a platform for discussions on how behavioural science can be applied to policymaking to improve productivity, especially in the healthcare sector. Representatives from the Institute for Behavioural Health Research (IPTK) attended the conference to share their experience in using behavioural insights to support better health policies. One of the key moments was a presentation by Dr. Manimaran, Director of IPTK, who explained how behavioural insights could help improve public health strategies. His talk generated significant interest, with many participants eager to learn more about how behavioural science can lead to better policy decisions.
On the second day, IPTK hosted a visit from delegates representing more than 17 countries as part of an experiential learning session. During their visit, the team presented various behavioural insights projects that had been implemented within the Ministry of Health. The delegates showed great interest in these projects and actively engaged in discussions about their effectiveness and impact. The visit provided an opportunity to highlight key achievements and lessons learned from these initiatives, reinforcing the role of behavioural insights in shaping public policies, particularly in health.
This conference demonstrated the increasing recognition of behavioural insights as a valuable tool in policymaking. The enthusiasm shown by APO and MPC toward IPTK’s work indicates strong potential for future collaborations in this field. As behavioural insights continue to influence policy and productivity strategies, this event has set the foundation for further advancements and more impactful initiatives.
The BI Unit IHBR
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WHO BEHAVIOURAL INSIGHTS GLOSSARY
On 26 th of February 2005, BI Unit was invited to participate in an online focus group discussion on the development of the WHO Behavioural Insights Glossary. The session aimed to gather insights to better understand user needs, ensuring that the final glossary is accessible and valuable for WHO staff and other end users worldwide. This glossary is being developed by the WHO BI Unit in collaboration with University College London to enhance clarity and cooperation in the application of behavioural insights in public health. The discussion was moderated by Micaela Santili from University College London.
The BI Unit IHBR
REFLECTION ON HARDWORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024 AND HELLO 2025!
The year 2024 has been a remarkable journey of hard work and dedication, marked by significant milestones in advancing behavioural insights within Malaysia's health sector. Through numerous behavioural insights training sessions with State Health Departments, ProtectHealth Corporation, the Dental Health Program, the Food Safety and Quality Program, and the Pharmaceutical Services Division, we have continued to champion the integration of behavioural science into public health initiatives.
Several impactful projects have come to fruition, including empowering communities in Sabah for malaria prevention, a pre-diabetic intervention program, a nudge-based strategy for reducing sugar consumption, and the development of behavioural assessment tools. These efforts highlight our commitment to translating insights into action for tangible health outcomes.
In addition, we have successfully integrated behavioural insights into the National Health Literacy Policy. Behavioural insights are specifically embedded within Strategy 6, under the 16th initiative, which focuses on strengthening research and development, health behaviour assessments, and evidence-based interventions.
A significant achievement this year was the successful organization of a National Townhall on the Blueprint for Behavioural Insights in Health, which gathered over 150 participants from various ministries, corporate entities, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations agencies. This inclusive platform encouraged a rich exchange of ideas, paving the way for the development of a comprehensive and forward-thinking blueprint. Building on this momentum, we convened a workshop to refine the blueprint with valuable input from stakeholders across diverse sectors. The blueprint, scheduled for launch in 2025, will serve as a strategic framework to guide Malaysia’s efforts in harnessing behavioural insights to improve health outcomes at all levels.
Last but not least, in November, we successfully conducted a scenario-based workshop with 33 participants from various divisions and professional backgrounds within the Ministry of Health Malaysia. The World Health Organization co-facilitated the workshop, where participants collaboratively addressed a public health issue and explored designing impactful behavioural interventions using the D.D.D.I.E Framework.
As we look ahead, these achievements stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and perseverance in driving positive change.
The BI Unit IHBR