Using a Web-Based Data Tracking Tool to Assess Existing Policies and Policy Gaps Affecting Chronic Disease Prevention in Bernalillo County

Background: Chronic diseases account for 1.7 million US deaths annually. Health policies can be an effective mechanism for reducing chronic disease morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this project was to: 1) identify and classify policies addressing chronic disease prevention; 2) detect policy gaps; and, 3) develop a practical, user-friendly policy database. Methods: A policy scan was conducted for the Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Community Transformation Grant (CTG). Policies were identified using legislative database searches, stakeholder meetings, discussions with community members, and collaborations with health professionals, researchers, advocacy organizations, and policy makers. Policies were identified at the state, county, city, school district, organization, and employer level. Model policies were identified through internet keyword searches and stakeholder interviews. A standardized protocol was developed and used for coding policies and identifying gaps. Results: A flexible, accessible, dynamic, sustainable database was created to serve as the central repository for chronic disease policy information. The database will facilitate access to existing policy information and will allow for easy access to critical policy appraisals to identify gaps. Finally, the database will inform Bernalillo County's CTG planning process, and will support development and implementation of CTG strategies. Conclusions: The database will provide health professionals, communities and policy makers with a critical resource for the identification of existing policies and gaps that, if addressed, could prevent chronic diseases. Early lessons learned include the benefits of a diverse stakeholder network, the need for detailed documentation of the decision-making process, and the advantages of investing in database planning.