Measuring Local Public Health and Primary Care Collaboration: A Practice-Based Research Approach.

Objective: To describe the degree of public health and primary care collaboration at the local level and develop a model framework of collaboration, the Community Collaboration Health Model (CCHM).

Design: Mixed-methods, cross-sectional surveys, and semistructured, key informant interviews.

Setting: All local health jurisdictions in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Local health department factors associated with performance in the successful implementation of community-based strategies: a mixed-methods approach.

Objectives: We examined which local health department (LHD)-level factors contributed to successful implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change strategies in Minnesota.

Methods: We used a retrospective mixed-methods design to evaluate the relationship between the Statewide Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) grant initiative and key predictor variables (2009-2011). We obtained quantitative capacity data for 91 cities and counties in Minnesota; in addition, we conducted 15 key informant interviews to examine factors that facilitated and acted as barriers to LHD performance.

Tax levy financing for local public health: fiscal allocation, effort, and capacity.

Background: Local health departments (LHDs) rely on a wide variety of funding sources, and the level of financing is associated with both LHD performance in essential public health services and population health outcomes. Although it has been shown that funding sources vary across LHDs, there is no evidence regarding the relationship between fiscal allocation (local tax levy); fiscal effort (tax capacity); and fiscal capacity (community wealth).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze local tax levy support for LHD funding.

Developing a taxonomy for the science of improvement in public health.

Context: Quality improvement (QI) methods have been used for almost a decade in public health departments to increase effectiveness and efficiency. Although results are rapidly accumulating, the evidence for the science of improvement is shallow and limited. To advance the use and effectiveness of QI in public health, it is important to develop a science of improvement using practice-based research to build an evidence base for QI projects.