Sequencing dengue control policy in Singapore : An evolutionary perspective for policy design

• Main Authors: MUKHERJEE, Ishani, GUHA, Panchali
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2024
• Subjects: Dengue; Layering; Policy design; Policy sequencing; Singapore; Smart patching; Vector control policies; Environmental Policy; Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/4122
• Institution: Singapore Management University

About half the global population is now at risk of contracting dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe morbidity and fatalities. Effective dengue control depends on controlling the mosquito vector, but finding the right mix of vector control policies has proved challenging. Using a content analysis of 208 Hansard records from parliamentary proceedings in Singapore, where dengue outbreaks have significantly increased in both frequency and magnitude since the early 1990s, we trace the processual evolution of Singapore’s anti-dengue policy mix from 1960 to 2023 and conclude that the evolution of dengue control policies is consistent with a customized initial policy design with a ‘smart patching’ mode of policy change via layering over time. This article contributes to both the environmental public health and policy design literatures.