ABSTRACT
Scientific evidence is increasingly regarded as a helpful addition to many theories of behavioral interventions, hence the increased use of evidence-based policy (EBP) frameworks. The term evidence-based policy is a paradigm that incorporates research evidence into the process of decision-making, namely the process of identifying the best option to tackle the defined problem. This chapter considers strengths and weaknesses of EBPs in terms of the credibility of evidence and by addressing the political aspects of policymaking. While it is important to understand advantages and disadvantages of extreme points of the spectrum, few policies can be classified as purely evidence-driven or ideological. Although, the consequences of proactive policies are often distant and uncertain, studies from different fields show that proactive policies may sometimes be more cost effective than treatment policies. Ultimately, treatment policies focus on fixing a known problem, whereas proactive ones promote a given potential in the absence of a specific threat.
