Table 1.

Framework for analysis of factors shaping political priority (modified from Shiffman and Smith, 2007)

Analysis category	Factors shaping political priority
Ideas: The ways in which those involved with the issue understand and portray it	1. Internal frame: the degree to which the policy community agrees on the definition of causes and solutions to the problem
	2. External frame: public portrayals of the issue in ways that resonate with external audiences, especially the political leaders that control resources
Issue characteristics: Features of the problem	3. Credible indicators: clear measures that show the severity of the problem and that can be used to monitor progress
	4. Severity: the size of the burden relative to other problems, as indicated by objective measurement such as mortality and morbidity levels
	5. Effective interventions: the extent to which proposed means of addressing the problem are clearly explained, cost-effective, backed by scientific evidence, simple to implement and inexpensive
Actor power: Strength of the individuals and organisations concerned with the issue	6. Guiding institutions: the effectiveness of organisations or coordinating mechanisms with a mandate to lead the initiative
	7. Policy community cohesion: the degree of coalescence among the network of individuals and institutions centrally involved with the issue at the global level
	8. Leadership: the presence of individuals capable of uniting the policy community and acknowledged as particularly strong leaders for the cause
	9. Civil society mobilisation: the extent to which grassroots organisations have mobilised to press international and national political authorities to address the issue at the global level
Political contexts: The environments in which actors operate	10. Policy windows: political moments when global conditions align favourably for an issue, presenting opportunities for advocates to influence decision makers
	11. Global governance structure: the degree to which norms and institutions operating in a sector provide a platform for effective action