Sustainability Planning for a Community Network to Increase Participation in Evidence-Based Lifestyle Change Programs: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

Community-based chronic disease prevention programs can have long-term, broad public health benefits. Yet, only 40 to 60% of evidence-based health programs are sustained. Using established frameworks and evidence-based tools to characterize sustainability allows programs to develop structures and processes to leverage resources effectively to sustain effective program activities and systems.

A Communitywide Collaboration to Increase Enrollment, Retention, and Success in Evidence-Based Lifestyle-Change Programs in Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations.

Purpose And Objectives: Chronic diseases (eg, diabetes, hypertension) are the leading causes of death in the US and disproportionally affect racial and ethnic minority populations. This disparity is partially due to the unequal burden of unmet social needs that stem from several factors, including racism.

Intervention Approach: The Alliance is a collaboration among health care, public health, and community organizations formed to improve referral, enrollment, and successful completion of evidence-based lifestyle-change programs, particularly among Black people.

Combined Effect of Lead Exposure and Allostatic Load on Cardiovascular Disease Mortality-A Preliminary Study.

This study explores the combined effect of lead (Pb) exposure and an index of chronic physiological stress on cardiovascular disease mortality using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2008 linked to 1999-2014 National Death Index data. Chronic physiological stress was measured using the allostatic load (AL) index, which was formed by analyzing markers from the cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic systems, with Pb levels, assessed using blood lead levels (BLL). The dataset was analyzed with statistical techniques to explore (a) the relationship between Pb exposure and AL, and (b) the combined role of Pb and AL on cardiovascular disease mortality.

Development of a measurement tool to assess local public health implementation climate and capacity for equity-oriented practice: Application to obesity prevention in a local public health system.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a measurement tool to capture local public health department (LHD) organizational characteristics that align with implementation of equity-oriented practice, which may be used to gauge progress in building public health structures and functions that address the needs of vulnerable populations and reduce health inequities.

Methods: We developed and tested a measurement tool, with practitioner input, based on an implementation science framework and informed by previous work defining public health essential services and practice recommendations for health equity. Measures assessed types of vulnerable populations served by the LHD, organizational climate, and four equity-oriented practice areas, including: assessment and planning, monitoring and analysis, leadership support, and obesity prevention.

Association between depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality among Han and Manchu ethnicities in a large, rural, Chinese population.

Objectives: To estimate the relationship between sleep quality and depression, among Han and Manchu ethnicities, in a rural Chinese population.

Methods: A sample of 8,888 adults was selected using a multistage cluster and random sampling method. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Assessing Organizational Supports for Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Public Health Departments in the United States: Development and Psychometric Properties of a New Measure.

Context: Fostering evidence-based decision making (EBDM) within local public health departments and among local health department (LHD) practitioners is crucial for the successful translation of research into public health practice to prevent and control chronic disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify organizational supports for EBDM within LHDs and determine psychometric properties of a measure of organizational supports for EBDM in LHDs.

Design: Cross-sectional, observation study.

Developing a Survey Tool to Assess Implementation of Evidence-Based Chronic Disease Prevention in Public Health Settings Across Four Countries.

Understanding the contextual factors that influence the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based chronic disease prevention (EBCDP) interventions in public health settings across countries could inform strategies to support the dissemination and implementation of EBCDP interventions globally and more effectively prevent chronic diseases. A survey tool to use across diverse countries is lacking. This study describes the development and reliability testing of a survey tool to assess the stage of dissemination, multi-level contextual factors, and individual and agency characteristics that influence the dissemination and implementation of EBCDP interventions in Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States.

All-Cause 30-Day Mortality After Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the United States.

Objectives: Thirty-day (30-day) mortality, a common posttreatment quality metric, is yet to be described following surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to measure 30-day postoperative mortality in HNSCC and describe clinical/nonclinical factors associated with 30-day mortality.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the National Cancer Database (2004 to 2013) was queried for eligible cases of HNSCC (n=91,858).

Patterns and correlates of use of evidence-based interventions to control diabetes by local health departments across the USA.

Objective: The nearly 3000 local health departments (LHDs) nationwide are the front line of public health and are positioned to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for diabetes control. Yet little is currently known about use of diabetes-related EBIs among LHDs. This study used a national online survey to determine the patterns and correlates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Guide-recommended EBIs for diabetes control in LHDs.

Ambient particulate matter air pollution associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Guangzhou, China.

Limited evidence exists concerning the impact of particulate pollution on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined the effects of particulate pollution on emergency ambulance dispatches (EAD) for ARDS in Guangzhou, China. Daily air pollution concentrations for PM, PM, and PM, as well as PM chemical compositions, were available from a central air monitoring station.

Primary Cancer vs Competing Causes of Death in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer.

This cohort study determines the probability and estimates the time point after diagnosis when death from competing causes becomes more common than that from primary head and neck cancer.

Development of a Survey to Assess Local Health Department Organizational Processes and Infrastructure for Supporting Obesity Prevention.

Local health departments (LHDs) have an important function in controlling the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States. Data are needed to gain insight into the existence of routine functions and structures of LHDs that support and sustain obesity prevention efforts. The purpose of this study was to develop and examine the reliability of measures to assess foundational LHD organizational processes and functions specific to obesity prevention.

Enhancing evidence-based diabetes and chronic disease control among local health departments: a multi-phase dissemination study with a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial component.

Background: The rates of diabetes and prediabetes in the USA are growing, significantly impacting the quality and length of life of those diagnosed and financially burdening society. Premature death and disability can be prevented through implementation of evidence-based programs and policies (EBPPs). Local health departments (LHDs) are uniquely positioned to implement diabetes control EBPPs because of their knowledge of, and focus on, community-level needs, contexts, and resources.

Results from a psychometric assessment of a new tool for measuring evidence-based decision making in public health organizations.

Background: In order to better understand how to improve evidence-based decision making (EBDM) in state health departments, measurement tools are needed to evaluate changes in EBDM. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a new measurement tool to assess EBDM in public health practice settings.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed, pilot-tested and refined in an iterative process with the input of public health practitioners with the aim of identifying a set of specific measures representing different components of EBDM.

Mortality benefits of vigorous air quality improvement interventions during the periods of APEC Blue and Parade Blue in Beijing, China.

Vigorous air pollution control measures were implemented during the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and a large-scale military parade (described here as "APEC Blue" and "Parade Blue" periods) in Beijing, China. A natural experiment was conducted in a health impact assessment framework to estimate the number of deaths attributable to PM, using concentration-response functions derived from previous studies conducted in Beijing, combined with the differences in PM concentrations between intervention and reference periods. Substantial reductions in daily PM concentrations were observed during both intervention periods.

The role of researchers in disseminating evidence to public health practice settings: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Evidence-based public health interventions, which research has demonstrated offer the most promise for improving the population's health, are not always utilized in practice settings. The extent to which dissemination from researchers to public health practice settings occurs is not widely understood. This study examines the extent to which public health researchers in the United States are disseminating their research findings to local and state public health departments.

Importance of scientific resources among local public health practitioners.

Objectives: We examined the perceived importance of scientific resources for decision-making among local health department (LHD) practitioners in the United States.

Methods: We used data from LHD practitioners (n = 849). Respondents ranked important decision-making resources, methods for learning about public health research, and academic journal use.

What predicts dissemination efforts among public health researchers in the United States?

Objectives: We identified factors related to dissemination efforts by researchers to non-research audiences to reduce the gap between research generation and uptake in public health practice.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 266 researchers at universities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and CDC. We identified scientists using a search of public health journals and lists from government-sponsored research.

State practitioner insights into local public health challenges and opportunities in obesity prevention: a qualitative study.

Introduction: The extent of obesity prevention activities conducted by local health departments (LHDs) varies widely. The purpose of this qualitative study was to characterize how state obesity prevention program directors perceived the role of LHDs in obesity prevention and factors that impact LHDs' success in obesity prevention.

Methods: From June 2011 through August 2011, we conducted 28 semistructured interviews with directors of federally funded obesity prevention programs at 22 state and regional health departments.

Understanding administrative evidence-based practices: findings from a survey of local health department leaders.

Background: There are sparse data showing the extent to which evidence-based public health is occurring among local health departments.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the patterns and predictors of administrative evidence-based practices (structures and activities that are associated with performance measures) in a representative sample of local health departments in the U.S.

Promoting state health department evidence-based cancer and chronic disease prevention: a multi-phase dissemination study with a cluster randomized trial component.

Background: Cancer and other chronic diseases reduce quality and length of life and productivity, and represent a significant financial burden to society. Evidence-based public health approaches to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases have been identified in recent decades and have the potential for high impact. Yet, barriers to implement prevention approaches persist as a result of multiple factors including lack of organizational support, limited resources, competing emerging priorities and crises, and limited skill among the public health workforce.

Designing for dissemination among public health researchers: findings from a national survey in the United States.

Objectives: We have described the practice of designing for dissemination among researchers in the United States with the intent of identifying gaps and areas for improvement.

Methods: In 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 266 researchers using a search of the top 12 public health journals in PubMed and lists available from government-sponsored research. The sample involved scientists at universities, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.

Association between physical activity and insomnia symptoms in rural communities of southeastern Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether physical activity is associated with less insomnia symptoms in the rural communities.

Methods: This study used cross-sectional data collected from a 2005 telephone survey for evaluation of a community walking trails intervention to promote physical activity in rural communities including 6 communities in the Missouri Ozark region and 6 communities in Arkansas and Tennessee (n = 1,234). The exposure variable is self-reported regular current physical activity.

Developing the next generation of dissemination and implementation researchers: insights from initial trainees.

Background: Dissemination and implementation (D&I) research is a relatively young discipline, underscoring the importance of training and career development in building and sustaining the field. As such, D&I research faces several challenges in designing formal training programs and guidance for career development. A cohort of early-stage investigators (ESI) recently involved in an implementation research training program provided a resource for formative data in identifying needs and solutions around career development.