Public Health Commons^™

National Longitudinal Survey Of Public Health Systems: Comparative Report Of 2012 Results, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

The third wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems was fielded in 2012 in a nationally-representative cohort of local communities. The survey measures the availability of 20 recommended public health activities in the community, the range of organizations that participate in performing each activity, and the perceived effectiveness of each activity. Prior waves of the survey were fielded in 1998 and 2006. Local health officials report data for this survey and receive a customized report of results that compare data for their community with national norms and with "peer groups" of similar communities. This document provides an …

Public Health Return On Investment: Making The Case, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

Fiscal pressures and policy imperatives have created a need for rigorous economic analyses of public health programs and policies. ROI analyses can reveal whether the benefits of public health strategies justify their costs, who realizes these benefits and costs, and under what circumstances.

Comparative Effectiveness Research And Patient-Centered Outcomes Research In Public Health Settings: Design, Analysis And Funding Considerations, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

The principles and methods of CER and PCOR have developed primarily with therapeutics in mind, but they must also be applied to the study of public health programs, policies, and delivery systems. This session surveys the emerging field, and provides examples of CER/PCOR methods applied in public health settings using practice-based research networks (PBRNs).

A Human Centered Geovisualization Framework To Facilitate Visual Exploration Of Telehealth Data: A Case Study, Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Background: Public health data is typically organized by geospatial units. Routine geographic monitoring of health data enables an understanding of the spatial patterns of events in terms of causes and controls. GeoVisualization (GeoVis) allows users to see information hidden both visually and explicitly on a map. Despite the applicability of GeoVis in public health, it is still underused for visualizing public health data. Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct user analysis by examining the various kinds of users that are involved with the telehealth program, their expertise and skills and their perception towards the utilization of GeoVis …

Data Acquisition Plan For The Public Health Multi-Network Practice And Outcome Variation (Mprove) Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

This brief details the steps to be followed in obtaining and compiling data on the core (and optional) measures of public health service delivery for the MPROVE study. MPROVE data will need to be obtained from several different sources. Data for some measures already exist in administrative records, surveillance systems, or other sources maintained by the local and state public health agencies that participate in your PBRN. For other measures, it may be necessary to obtain data from other agencies that collaborate with the public health agencies in your PBRN. In still other cases, it may be necessary to undertake …

Final Set Of Public Health Delivery Measures Selected For The Multi-Network Practice And Outcome Variation Examination (Mprove) Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

The Multi-Network Practice and Outcome Variation Examination Study (MPROVE) engages public health practice-based research networks (PBRNs) in the collection and analysis of measures of public health delivery across a large number of local practice settings in order to examine the causes and consequences of practice variation in public health. This document summarizes the final set of measures selected for the MPROVE study, including measures of the reach, volume, intensity, and quality of public health delivery in three domains of activity: chronic disease prevention, communicable disease control, and environmental health protection.

Medical Malpractice Reform: A Societal Crisis Or Fear Marketing?, Phil Rutsohn, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Andrew Sikula, Sr.

This paper explores the primary issues surrounding the malpractice crisis currently facing the healthcare system and asks the question ‘is it truly a crisis or is it an effective marketing campaign waged by interested parties?’ The authors discuss the primary issues presented by both the supporters of tort reform and the opposition to tort reform. As is true for many issues in healthcare, final analysis suggests that tort reform is needed or not needed depends on the analysts' role in the system. The authors argue that the evidence suggests malpractice reform will produce desired results if the goal is to …

Public Health Return-On-Investment Template - Demonstration Version, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

The Public Health Return on Investment (ROI) Template is designed to help public health organizations estimate the economic returns from investments made in strategies that enhance public health service delivery, including quality improvement (QI) interventions. Depending on data availability, the template can be used to support retrospective analyses of actual investments as well as prospective analyses of potential future investments. The tool is designed to analyze economic returns realized through one ore more of the following pathways: (1) Reductions in routine operating costs; (2) Increases in revenue streams; (3) Increases in the outputs produced through agency services/functions; (4) Reductions in …

Estimating Scale And Scope Effects In Public Health Delivery: Implications For Regionalization, Glen P. Mays, Rachel A. Hogg, Rick Ingram, Kristina Rabarison

Glen Mays

OBJECTIVES: The nation's public health delivery system comprises nearly 3000 local public health agencies that vary widely in capabilities. Economic pressures, workforce shortages, and new national accreditation standards are leading these agencies to explore mechanisms for pooling resources to enhance delivery and improve population health. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort design is used to analyze changes in the availability and perceived effectiveness of services delivered by local public health providers. A stratified random sample of the nation's 3000 local public health agencies (n=497) were surveyed in 1998 and again in 2006 and 2011 (70% response) to measure the availability of 20 …

Selecting Measures Of Public Health Service Delivery: Results From A Delphi Survey For The Mprove Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

This database contains detailed, sortable results from the expert panel Delphi survey used to rate candidate measures of public health service delivery to be used in the Multi-Network Practice and Outcome Variation Examination Study (MPROVE), conducted by the Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRN) Program.

Selecting Measures Of Public Health Delivery: Results Of A Delphi Survey For The Mprove Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

The Multi-Network Practice and Outcomes Variation Examination Study (MPROVE) supports six participating public health practice-based research networks (PBRNs) in selecting a common set of service delivery measures for use in analyzing geographic variation in delivery across local communities. This report presents results from an expert panel Delphi survey used to rate candidate measures on a set of selection criteria, in order to select the final set of measures for study.

Inventory Of Public Health Service Delivery Measures: The Mprove Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

This database contains a searchable inventory of measures of public health service delivery that have been recommended as candidates for use in the MPROVE study of geographic variation in local public health service delivery.

Factors Associated With The Process Of Adaptation Among Pakistani Adolescent Females Living In United States., Salma Khuwaja, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

This study explored post-migration experiences of recently migrated Pakistani Muslim adolescent females residing in the United States. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty Pakistani Muslim adolescent females between the ages of 15 and 18 years living with their families in Houston, Texas. Data obtained from the interviews were evaluated using discourse analysis to identify major reoccurring themes. Participants discussed factors associated with the process of adaptation to the American culture. The results revealed that the main factors associated with adaptation process included positive motivation for migration, family bonding, social support networks, inter-familial communication, aspiration of adolescents to learn other …

Many Schools Unprepared For Next Pandemic, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Worked with the media to evaluate a school-based pandemic preparedness study. Take home message: Not much, really. However, the CDC should carefully review its promotion of yet-to-be-proven effective syndromic surveillance systems - and the mega $ associated with the investment - until they are proven otherwise effective.

Reinventing The 21st Century Public Health Workforce: Directions From Practice-Based Research, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

Compelling opportunities exist for incorporating practice-based research to into the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health workforce training and development programs. Public Health Training Centers (PHTCs) can collaborate with practice-based research networks (PBRNs) to discover and disseminate evidence-based strategies for workforce development.

Patterns Of Interaction In Public Health Pbrns: Insights From Network Analysis, Rachel Hogg, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

This report presents data from a network analysis survey conducted with public health practice-based research networks (PBRNs) to examine patterns of interaction among researchers and public health practitioners who participate in the networks. These data provide a baseline for tracking the types and frequencies of interaction that occur within networks, and reveal opportunities for promoting more productive patterns of engagement in applied public health research. Over time, these types of data can reveal how and under what circumstances PBRNs facilitate the production and application of research about public health services and delivery systems. The analysis includes data on more than …

Communicating H1n1 Risk To College Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study, Francisco G. Soto Mas, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Objective: To assess the H1N1 risk communication needs of college students. Participants: Students at a major university in the southwestern U.S. Method: Data were collected in early spring 2010 through a 24-item, self-administered survey. Outcome variables included knowledge, behavior and intention. Results: A total of 483 students participated. Most reported trying to prevent H1N1 influenza though specific behaviors. Many lacked knowledge about symptoms and treatment, a few (10%) had been vaccinated, and half had no intention to get vaccinated or practice self-isolation. Gender and age were significantly associated with the three outcome variables. Intention was the most significant contributor of …

Designing Human Centered Geovisualization Application - The Sanaviz - For Telehealth Users: A Case Study., Ashish Joshi, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

No abstract provided.

Factors Associated With Ordering Laboratory Monitoring Of High-Risk Medications, Shira H. Fischer, Terry S. Field, Daniel J. Peterson, George Reed, Jerry H. Gurwitz, Jennifer Tjia

Jennifer Tjia

Background

Knowledge about factors associated with provider ordering of appropriate testing is limited.

Objective

To determine physician factors correlated with ordering of recommended laboratory monitoring tests for high-risk medications, accounting for patient characteristics.

Methods

Analysis of the administrative claims and electronic medical records of patients prescribed a high-risk medication requiring laboratory monitoring in a large multispecialty group practice between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. The outcome is a physician order for each recommended laboratory test for each prescribed medication. Key predictor variables include physician characteristics, including age, gender, specialty training, years since completing training, and prescribing volume. We …

Making The Case For Public Health: Estimating Roi And Value, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

This presentation describes recent prograss and new directions for estimating the value of public health strategies and infrastructure.

Health Care Decision Means More Work For Irs, David Gamage

David Gamage

No abstract provided.

Quantifying The Value Of Public Health Investments, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

This session reviews recent findings from a series of studies that estimate the health and economic effects attributable to investments in public health services and delivery systems.

Developing Service Delivery Measures For Studies Of Practice Variation: The Mprove Study, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

OBJECTIVES: A growing body of evidence indicates that the delivery of public health activities varies widely across states and communities, creating missed opportunities for prevention as well as inequities in health protection. Consequently, HHS recently used a consensus-based process to develop a framework for improving quality in public health and to identify a set of nine priority areas for improvement. As next steps in operationalizing this framework, measures of quality in public health are needed to guide public health improvement initiatives and to support research on the comparative effectiveness of alternative public health strategies. This presentation profiles the methodology developed …

Funding Public Health: A New Iom Report On Investing In A Healthier Future, Glen Mays, George Isham, Robert Kaplan

Glen Mays

A new Institute of Medicine report recommends establishing a national target for life expectancy and implementing new mechanisms for financing public health strategies to acheive this target.

Scale And Scope Effects In Public Health Delivery: Estimating Gains From Regionalization, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

OBJECTIVES: Current approaches to health system reform under the Affordable Care Act include efforts to enhance the delivery of public health services that promote health and prevent disease and injury on a population-wide basis. The nation’s public health delivery system comprises nearly 3000 local public health agencies that vary widely in size, resources, and capabilities. Economic pressures, workforce shortages, and new national accreditation standards are leading these agencies to explore mechanisms for pooling resources and expertise across local jurisdictions to enhance delivery and improve population health. This analysis uses longitudinal observations on a national sample of local public health agencies …

Expanding The Evidence Base For Accreditation And Qi: Progress In Practice-Based Research Networks, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

Studies that examine the implementation and impact of quality improvement strategies in public health are underway through the Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks.

Estimating Medical Cost Offsets Attributable To Public Health Spending, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

BACKGROUND: Policy strategies for reforming the U.S. health care system to control costs and improve health outcomes include the possibility of expanded support for public health activities that are designed to prevent disease and promote health on a population-wide basis. These activities include efforts to monitor and report on community health status, investigate and control disease outbreaks, educate the public about health risks and prevention strategies, develop and enforce laws and regulations to protect health, and inspect and assure the safety and quality of water, food, air and other resources necessary for health. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act …

Mprove Measure Submission Form, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

This instrument allows participating public health PBRN networks to submit candidate measures for the Multi-Network Practice and Outcome Variation Examination (MPROVE) study.

Mprove Call For Measures Of Public Health Service Delivery, Glen P. Mays

Glen Mays

Participating public health PBRN networks are invited to submit candidate measures of public health service delivery for use in the multi-network MPROVE study (Multi-Network Practice and Outcome Variation Examination Study).

The Science Of Public Health Practice: Using Pbrns For Delivery System Research In Public Health Settings, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

PBRN research tests strategies for improving the delivery of services that promote health and prevent disease and injury on a population-wide basis.