Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #119188

Vincent T. Francisco, PhD, Public Health Education, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, 437 HHP Building, P.O Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, 336-334-5520, vincent_francisco@uncg.edu

Vital research questions related to public health infrastructure must be addressed in order to enable organizations and agencies to effectively protect and improve the health of the American people in light of current challenges. For example, studies show that up to 46% of the governmental public health workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. However, we lack sufficient evidence to understand the likely impact of those retirements and the systems necessary to assure adequate public health capacity.

To promote stronger collaboration between academic and practice communities in building an evidence-based understanding of what systems are required to improve the public's health, the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice has convened a Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) Leadership Forum at each of the APHA Annual Meetings since 2001. Due in large part to advocacy by the Council, essential PHSR questions have been identified, prioritized research agendas have been established, a core group of public health systems researchers stand ready to investigate the issues, and the practice community is demanding evidence for their interventions. Yet, there continues to be a lack of funding available to conduct research of this type.

This session will focus on how to build the business case for investment in priority PHSR efforts that will help guide public health practice organizations in strengthening the infrastructure needed to better promote the health of their communities given a growing number of challenges. Specific research questions will also be shared and discussed.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of the session, participants will

• Have the ability to articulate what PHSR is, how it can be used, and why it is valuable; and
• Develop strategies for advocating increased investment in PHSR and its translation into practice, with a focus on research questions related to infrastructure and worker shortages.

Keywords: Public Health Infrastructure, Public Health Research

Related Web page: www.phf.org/Link/tools.htm#PHSR

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation