Building capacity for evidence-based public health: Reconciling the pulls of practice and the push of research

Timely implementation of principles of evidence-based public health (EBPH) is critical for bridging the gap between discovery of new knowledge and its application. Public health organizations need sufficient capacity (the availability of resources, structures, and workforce to plan, deliver, and evaluate the preventive dose of an evidence-based intervention) to move science to practice. We review principles of EBPH, the importance of capacity building to advance evidence-based approaches, promising approaches for capacity building, and future areas for research and practice. Although there is general agreement among practitioners and scientists on the importance of EBPH, there is less clarity on the definition of evidence, how to find it, and how, when, and where to use it. Capacity for EBPH is needed among both individuals and organizations. Capacity can be strengthened via training, use of tools, technical assistance, assessment and feedback, peer networking, and incentives. Modest investments in EBPH capacity building will foster more effective public health practice

Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Asian American Students’ Suicidal Ideation: A Multi-Campus, National Study

The purpose of this study was to examine risk and protective factors associated with suicidal ideation among 1,377 Asian American college students’ across 66 campuses. The results indicated that medication for mental health concerns, gender, GPA, undergraduate status, religious affiliation, living with a family member, living with a partner, and active participation in student organizations were associated with morbid thoughts. Furthermore, medication for mental health concerns, undergraduate status, living with family, and active participation in student organizations were related to serious consideration of suicide. Among Asian Americans who seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months, recent family, academic, and financial problems were the top three most frequently endorsed events occurring before the development of suicidal ideation

Evidence-based Decision Making to Improve Public Health Practice

Despite the many accomplishments of public health, greater attention on evidence-based approaches is warranted. This article reviews the concepts of evidence-based public health (EBPH), on which formal discourse originated about 15 years ago. Key components of EBPH include: making decisions based on the best available scientific evidence, using data and information systems systematically, applying program planning frameworks, engaging the community in decision making, conducting sound evaluation, and disseminating what is learned. Core competencies for EBPH are emerging, including not only technical skills but also attention to administrative practices in public health agencies. To better bridge evidence and practice, the concepts of EBPH outlined in this article should be carried out in their entirety

Impact Of Solar Irradiance Data On MPC Performance Of Multizone Buildings

Model Predictive Controllers (MPC) in supervisory level building control systems may employ solar irradiance data to make decisions, particularly for building zones with a high fraction of window area. Solar irradiance on tilted surfaces can be calculated from Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) by a common algorithm that includes an empirical correlation to decompose the beam and diffuse components, followed by the application of an anisotropic sky model. Control decisions based on the modeled solar data can be incorrect, particularly if offsite or satellite derived GHI data is employed. This work investigates the impact of uncertain solar estimation on MPC performance with respect to energy consumption and comfort by comparing MPC responses for a multi-zone building based on: measured local Plane of Array (POA) solar data and satellite GHI based modeled POA solar data. The case study results inform the value of information, revealing that MPC decisions based on satellite derived solar data cause comfort violations that depend strongly on the building system characteristics, such as HVAC and internal gains

Toward optimal implementation of cancer prevention and control programs in public health: A study protocol on mis-implementation

Abstract Background Much of the cancer burden in the USA is preventable, through application of existing knowledge. State-level funders and public health practitioners are in ideal positions to affect programs and policies related to cancer control. Mis-implementation refers to ending effective programs and policies prematurely or continuing ineffective ones. Greater attention to mis-implementation should lead to use of effective interventions and more efficient expenditure of resources, which in the long term, will lead to more positive cancer outcomes. Methods This is a three-phase study that takes a comprehensive approach, leading to the elucidation of tactics for addressing mis-implementation. Phase 1: We assess the extent to which mis-implementation is occurring among state cancer control programs in public health. This initial phase will involve a survey of 800 practitioners representing all states. The programs represented will span the full continuum of cancer control, from primary prevention to survivorship. Phase 2: Using data from phase 1 to identify organizations in which mis-implementation is particularly high or low, the team will conduct eight comparative case studies to get a richer understanding of mis-implementation and to understand contextual differences. These case studies will highlight lessons learned about mis-implementation and identify hypothesized drivers. Phase 3: Agent-based modeling will be used to identify dynamic interactions between individual capacity, organizational capacity, use of evidence, funding, and external factors driving mis-implementation. The team will then translate and disseminate findings from phases 1 to 3 to practitioners and practice-related stakeholders to support the reduction of mis-implementation. Discussion This study is innovative and significant because it will (1) be the first to refine and further develop reliable and valid measures of mis-implementation of public health programs; (2) bring together a strong, transdisciplinary team with significant expertise in practice-based research; (3) use agent-based modeling to address cancer control implementation; and (4) use a participatory, evidence-based, stakeholder-driven approach that will identify key leverage points for addressing mis-implementation among state public health programs. This research is expected to provide replicable computational simulation models that can identify leverage points and public health system dynamics to reduce mis-implementation in cancer control and may be of interest to other health areas