For example, one area of procedural justice relates to how different sources of information and evidence are shared and used in policy making.

To start with, health systems themselves need to involve stakeholders more systematically in obtaining and publishing evidence to be used in decision-making. This is positive in itself. For example, the Tanzania Essential Health Interventions Project has strengthened the use of evidence from health systems (disease burden, cost effectiveness of available interventions). As a result, the health system has been able to reflect community preferences and priorities more transparently (Reid & Kasale, 2000).

Evidence on public opinion can also be included in health planning. Opinion surveys, anonymous postal surveys, focus groups and citizens' juries can all act in parallel to the budgeting or decision-making process, to ensure that decisions are in line with public values. However, community preferences are still weakly integrated with health system information; there is plenty of room for innovation. The use of information as a tool for civic involvement is discussed further in the next section.