Using national policy/research briefs to increase the visibility of public health

Policy/research briefs such as the County Health Rankings (a rankings method using a multi-determinant model of population health addressing the physical environment, social and economic factors, clinical care and health behaviors), F as in Fat, (the State Obesity Rankings), Ready or Not (the State Preparedness Rankings), and America's Health Rankings are potential tools for LHDs to garner public, policy maker, and media attention. Using data from a statistical sample of LHDs completing Module 2 (n=516) of the 2010 NACCHO Profile of Local Health Departments Survey, a national survey of all LHDs, we examined the extent to which LHDs used these tools to increase awareness of the multiple factors that influence health and the role of public health and to develop partnerships and leverage funding for the LHD.

LHDs reported using the county health rankings to increase the public's (36% of LHDs), policymaker's (28%), and the media's (28%) awareness of the multiple factors influencing health. LHDs were less likely to report using the county health rankings to increase the public's (27% of LHDs), policymaker's (25%), and the media's (22%) awareness of the role of public health. LHDs were least likely to use the rankings to leverage additional funding for the agency. Many LHDs reported that they never used F as in Fat (64%), Ready or Not (62%), or America's Health Rankings (56%). LHDs from large jurisdictions were more likely to use most of the reports to garner public, policymaker, and media attention as were those with a female executive director.