Cross-level issues
A key issue in the assessment of health risks of policies is the quantification
of health effects. Quantitative assessment can be perceived as
the quantitative expression of expected changes in health outcome
measures by using numerical information on howa policy affects health
outcomes directly or through induced changes in exposure levels of risk
factors. Quantitative expression of results has advantages to qualitative
description. It is favoured in the decision making process, since it helps
in prioritising themes and considering cost–benefit relations, therefore
it can effectively assist the bargain process. Constructing a logical algorithm
from the policy proposal down to health outcomes can help in
the clarification of the quantification process