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Article
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
  • Kay A. Lovelace, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Robert E. Aronson, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Kelly L. Rulison, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Jeffrey D. Labban, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Gulzar H. Shah, Georgia Southern University
  • Mark Smith, Health Surveillance and Analysis Unit
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-5-2014
DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2014.302306
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.

Citation Information
Kay A. Lovelace, Robert E. Aronson, Kelly L. Rulison, Jeffrey D. Labban, et al.. "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 Vol. 105 Iss. 2 (2014) p. 189 - 197 ISSN: 1541-0048
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gulzar_shah/145/