Reaccreditation and Pathways Recognition Experiences of Small Local and Tribal Health Departments.

Context: This paper describes experiences and views of leadership teams from 4 small local health departments (LHDs) seeking Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) reaccreditation or Pathways Recognition using PHAB Standards & Measures Version 2022. The Pathways program launched in 2022 provides additional supports for improvement of public health practice.

Objective: Given the need to accelerate accreditation among small health departments, the purpose of this study is to share small health departments' strategies for overcoming accreditation challenges and actionable advice for use by other health departments.

Public Health Accreditation Board Accreditation and Pathways Recognition Among Small Health Departments: Motivation, Communication, and Celebration.

This paper explores how small local health departments (LHDs) motivated staff members, communicated progress toward Public Health Accreditation Board accreditation or Pathways Recognition, and celebrated interim and final accreditation accomplishments. Qualitative key informant interviews were conducted with 22 employees and affiliates of 4 LHDs with jurisdiction populations <50 000. LHDs motivated staff through ownership, creative strategies to monitor and record progress, and meaningful no- or low-cost incentives.

Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study.

Background: As the US population continues to age, depression and other mental health issues have become a significant challenge for healthy aging. Few studies, however, have examined the prevalence of depression in community-dwelling older adults in the United States.

Methods: Baseline data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study were analyzed to examine the prevalence and correlates of depression in a multisite sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65-79 years who were enrolled and assessed between July 2015 and March 2017.

Examining the Association Between Public Health Accreditation and COVID-19 Outcomes.

Objective: To examine the association between local health department (LHD) accreditation and COVID-19 community outcomes, including rates of adult vaccination, hospitalization, and death.

Design: We examined county level rates of adult vaccination, hospitalization, and death by LHD accreditation status over the course of the COVID pandemic. Additional independent variables included time period, COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI), state public health governance structure, and state policy environment.

Challenges and Supports for Implementing Health Equity During National Accreditation Among Small Local Health Departments in the United States.

Objective: This article focuses on supports and challenges to health equity that small local health departments (LHDs) experienced while working toward national reaccreditation or Pathways Recognition with the Public Health Accreditation Board's Standards & Measures Version 2022 (PHAB S&M v2022).

Design: The study team conducted 22 qualitative interview sessions with members of health department leadership teams.

Setting: In the spring of 2024, participants from 4 small LHDs in the western and midwestern regions of the United States participated in individual remote interview sessions.