Which of the following is included in the essential functions of policy and development?

Informing and educating the community is a key aspect of the essential functions of policy and development. This function focuses on raising awareness about health-related matters and the benefits of exercise among the general public. Effective communication strategies are crucial in policy development because they help translate scientific research into actionable information that communities can utilize.

By educating the community about the importance of physical activity, policies can promote healthier lifestyles, increase participation in exercise, and ultimately improve public health outcomes. This emphasis on public education is also vital for fostering community support and encouraging stakeholders to adopt and advocate for policies that integrate physical activity into public health initiatives.

The other options focus on individual-level interventions rather than the broader scope of policy and development. Developing treatment plans, diagnosing diseases, and creating clinical trials are more oriented toward clinical practice and research rather than the policy framework that guides community health initiatives. Therefore, they do not align with the primary goals of policy and development, which are centered around influencing community behavior and creating supportive environments for health promotion.