141st APHA Annual Meeting

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287832
Public health data solutions for CA4Health: Implementation of a customized content management, communications, and data platform among rural and frontier county grantees in a CA community transformation grant

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM

Jessica Tomlinson, JD , PHI Central Office, Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
Background: The administration of large public health programs across geographically dispersed regions poses a variety of challenges including limited opportunities to stay connected with program partners, share resources, promote peer learning, and exchange data. To address these challenges, The Public Health Institute (PHI) introduced a customized online system in California called Public Health Data Solutions (PHDS) for rural and frontier grantees participating in the CA4Health community transformation grant program. The multifaceted PHDS system allows program partners across the state to download and post resources, share success stories, and generate GIS maps and data reports using program and population level data.

Objective/Purpose: To successfully administer an online data, communications and content management system among geographically dispersed CA4Health program administrators, state health department leads, evaluation consultants, and local health department grantees.

Methods: Applying a user-centered design approach, PHI customized an online collaborative management platform based on program objectives and end-user needs. To allow users to easily visualize assets and needs through mapping, the system contains population health data layers specifically aligned with the program's four strategic directions (tobacco free living, active living and healthy eating, clinical preventive services, and healthy physical environments). Over 50 users received customized training on how to employ the system towards their program activities and goals.

Results: Over 75 registered users currently use CA4Health's PHDS system to share program materials and highlight local success stories. Users also effectively visualize program and population health data.

Discussion/Conclusion: Strategic investment in a customized online data and content management system is an effective solution to support administration of a statewide public health initiative.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Communication and informatics

Learning Objectives:
List the features and functionality of an integrated content management, communications and data visualization platform. Describe the significance of disseminating population health data in a visually appealing format. Explain the utility of a platform for peer exchange and collaboration among regionally dispersed partners.

Keywords: Data/Surveillance, Public Health Informatics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project director at Public Health Institute for Public Health Data Solutions, a comprehensive system that translates population health data into accessible, evidence-based information that can be used to guide decision-makers at all levels.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.