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. 2009 Sep;99(9):1576-83.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.156224. Epub 2009 Jul 16.

Understanding evidence-based public health policy

Ross C Brownson  1 , Jamie F Chriqui, Katherine A Stamatakis
Affiliations

Understanding evidence-based public health policy

Ross C Brownson et al. Am J Public Health. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

Public health policy has a profound impact on health status. Missing from the literature is a clear articulation of the definition of evidence-based policy and approaches to move the field forward. Policy-relevant evidence includes both quantitative (e.g., epidemiological) and qualitative information (e.g., narrative accounts). We describe 3 key domains of evidence-based policy: (1) process, to understand approaches to enhance the likelihood of policy adoption; (2) content, to identify specific policy elements that are likely to be effective; and (3) outcomes, to document the potential impact of policy. Actions to further evidence-based policy include preparing and communicating data more effectively, using existing analytic tools more effectively, conducting policy surveillance, and tracking outcomes with different types of evidence.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The interplay of factors influencing evidence-based public health policy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Ethics-based public health policy?
    Petrini C. Petrini C. Am J Public Health. 2010 Feb;100(2):197-8. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.181511. Epub 2009 Dec 17. Am J Public Health. 2010. PMID: 20019296 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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