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. 2018 Oct 1;69(10):1105-1108.
doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201800153. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Legislators' Sources of Behavioral Health Research and Preferences for Dissemination: Variations by Political Party

Jonathan Purtle  1 , Elizabeth A Dodson  1 , Katherine Nelson  1 , Zachary F Meisel  1 , Ross C Brownson  1
Affiliations

Legislators' Sources of Behavioral Health Research and Preferences for Dissemination: Variations by Political Party

Jonathan Purtle et al. Psychiatr Serv. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to characterize primary sources of behavioral health research and dissemination preferences of state legislators and assess differences by political party.

Methods: A 2017 cross-sectional survey of state legislators (N=475) assessed where legislators seek, and the most important features of, behavioral health research. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were conducted.

Results: Advocacy organizations (53%), legislative staff (51%), and state agencies (48%) were identified most frequently as sources of behavioral health research. Universities were identified by significantly more Democrats than Republicans (34% versus 19%; adjusted odds ratio=1.79). Data about budget impact and cost-effectiveness were most frequently rated as very important, but by significantly fewer Democrats than Republicans (77% versus 87% and 76% versus 89%, respectively).

Conclusions: To reach legislators and satisfy their information preferences, behavioral health researchers should target diverse audiences, partner with intermediary organizations, and craft messages that include economic evaluation data.

Keywords: Dissemination; Legislators; Politics; Public policy issues; Research use.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE: The authors report no competing interests

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