We are what we do: research outputs of public health.

Background: If public health research does not progress beyond descriptive research to testing the effectiveness of interventions that can provide causal data, its contribution to evidence-based practice will not be realized. This paper examined the number and percentage of public health research publications over three time periods (1987-1988, 1997-1998, 2005-2006) for three preventive health issues: tobacco use, alcohol use, and inadequate physical activity.

Methods: A computer-based literature search was conducted, using the Medline and PsycINFO databases.

Pilot of a novel cervical screening intervention: interactive voice response.

Objective: This paper describes the pilot of an interactive voice response (IVR) cervical screening brief advice interface.

Method: In September 2000, 5,000 households within Cessnock, New South Wales, were contacted by an IVR system. The system randomly selected eligible women aged 18-69, assessed their cervical screening status and provided a tailored message about cervical screening.