Determining what factors influence local health departments to meet their responsibility for improving population health

The Foundation's Public Health Services and Systems Research program was designed to help establish the field of public health systems research as a needed resource that will enable governmental health agencies to improve their performance. Through a mixed-methods study, this project will: (1) identify the frequency with which local health departments (LHD) carry out various evidence-based public health (EBPH) practices; (2) identify the modifiable organizational and structural factors that predict the use of EBPH practices, controlling for community context; and (3) investigate the community context of and processes used by LHDs with high composite rates of EBPH practices. First, researchers will use descriptive and hierarchical linear regression analyses of secondary data to identify the factors that are related to the adoption of EBPH strategies by LHDs. Qualitative case studies of eight LHDs with high composite ratings across a range of EBPH activities will explore "why" and "how" LHDs pursued an EBPH strategy. Partners include the Guilford County Department of Public Health and the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Target audiences for national dissemination include state and local health officers, local boards of health, public health educators, and researchers. Findings will be released within 12 months of the project's completion. Deliverables include research briefs for targeted audiences, national presentations, a training workshop, a manuscript for Practice-Based Research Network Quarterly, and a report/white paper detailing findings, policy/practice implications and recommendations. In addition, a written report on the project and its findings will be prepared for wide dissemination.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $200,000.00

Awarded on: 11/15/2011

Time frame: 12/1/2011 - 11/30/2013

Grant Number: 69686