Laying the Groundwork for Evidence-Based Public Health: Why Some Local Health Departments Use More Evidence-Based Decision-Making Practices Than Others

Authors

Kay A. Lovelace, University of North Carolina at GreensboroFollow
Robert E. Aronson, University of North Carolina at GreensboroFollow
Kelly L. Rulison, University of North Carolina at GreensboroFollow
Jeffrey D. Labban, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Gulzar H. Shah, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Mark Smith, Health Surveillance and Analysis Unit

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-5-2014

Publication Title

American Journal of Public Health

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2014.302306

ISSN

1541-0048

Abstract

We examined variation in the use of evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) practices across local health departments (LHDs) in the United States and the extent to which this variation was predicted by resources, personnel, and governance. We analyzed data from the National Association of County and City Health Officials Profile of Local Health Departments, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials State Health Departments Profile, and the US Census using 2-level multilevel regression models. We found more workforce predictors than resource predictors. Thus, although resources are related to LHDs’ use of EBDM practices, the way resources are used (e.g., the types and qualifications of personnel hired) may be more important.

Recommended Citation

Lovelace, Kay A., Robert E. Aronson, Kelly L. Rulison, Jeffrey D. Labban, Gulzar H. Shah, Mark Smith. 2014. "Laying the Groundwork for Evidence-Based Public Health: Why Some Local Health Departments Use More Evidence-Based Decision-Making Practices Than Others." American Journal of Public Health, 105 (2): 189-197. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302306
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/health-policy-facpubs/113