Measuring Comprehensive Public Health Delivery Systems and their Contributions to Population Health

We review methods for measuring the structure of public health delivery systems using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems. A growing body of research using these measures demonstrates how multiple sectors contribute to core public health functions, and how these functions influence community health status over time. We end with a summary of how the Comprehensive Public Health System measure will be used in monitoring the impact of the 21st Century Public Health System initiative

Patient Engagement in Patient Portals in Appalachia v. Surrounding U.S. Census Regions: An Analysis of HINTS (Health Information National Trends Survey) Data, 2017–2020

Introduction: Those living in the Appalachian Region face a greater number of significant health disparities than residents of other areas of the U.S. Patient portals can decrease disparities, increase health literacy, and improve health outcomes. Purpose: This study explores if those living in the Appalachian Region are offered access to and use their patient portals differently than those in the surrounding U.S. Census regions. Additionally, the study aims to determine if there was a difference in reported reasons for the non-use of patient portals. Methods: A secondary analysis was completed using data from the National Cancer Institute\u27s Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) (2017–2020), a nationally representative survey. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to determine differences in patient portal use between regions. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the Appalachian and surrounding U.S. Census regions in being offered access to patient portals. However, there was a statistically significant difference (non-weighted) between regions in the use of patient portals. Common reasons for the non-use of patient portals were a preference to speak directly to the provider and the lack of perceived need to use the portal. Implications: Providers in the Appalachian Region should be aware of the non-use of patient portals. Moreover, understanding the reported reasons for non-use may help providers tailor educational materials to increase patient portal use

The Parthenon, October 24, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, October 10, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, September 5, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, October 3, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, December 5, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

Estimating Scale and Scope Effects in Public Health Delivery: Implications for Regionalization

OBJECTIVES: The nation\u27s 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\u27s 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 core public health services within their jurisdictions, the organizations that deliver each, and the perceived effectiveness of services. Hierarchical regression was used to simulate the effects of regional service delivery models that pool resources across neighboring public health agency jurisdictions that fall below selected population thresholds. RESULTS: The scope of public health services delivered in the average U.S. community increased from 64% to 71% during the 14 year period (p\u3c0.05), and increased significantly with the agency\u27s scale of operations (population size served, p\u3c0.001). Simulation results predicted that combining neighboring public health agency jurisdictions serving less than 50,000 residents would produce a 26% increase in the scope of services delivered, a 19% increase in perceived effectiveness, and statistically significant reductions in selected measures of preventable mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Regional strategies to coordinate and/or consolidate the operations of small and rural public health agencies may improve public health delivery and population health

The Parthenon, November 28, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content

The Parthenon, November 14, 2018

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, was published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and weekly on Thursdays during the summer. Due to budgetary constraints, beginning with the 2018 Fall semester, the newspaper is only published one day a week. The editorial staff is responsible for the news and the editorial content