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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3006.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - 8:30 AM

Abstract #119979

Strategic planning for local public health: Merging quantitative and qualitative assessment data for community health

Julia Joh, MPH, Public Health Infrastructure and Systems--MAPP, National Association of County and City Health Officials, 1100 17th St. NW, 2nd Fl., Washington, DC 20036, 202-783-5550, jjoh@naccho.org, Louise Kent, Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department, 610 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017, and Mike Smeltzer, Columbus Health Department, 181 Washington Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215.

Public health assessments provide valuable information by applying reliable and valid methodologies. While each type of assessment offers credible and relevant data, individually they do not provide a broad understanding of community health and public health systems. However, conducting several types of assessments together can reveal a more complete picture of public health. In addition, compiling and applying different assessment data can help communities identify relevant public health strategic issues.

The Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) approach acknowledges the importance of using several types of assessments to understand the factors that affect local public health systems and, ultimately, the health of communities. MAPP also recognizes that collecting data and assessing the current state of public health is not an end in itself; rather it is the basis for community strategic planning.

This session will provide examples of how communities have used the MAPP Four Assessments to gain a more complete understanding of their existing public health system. Participants will learn how communities have identified linkages among their assessments and used the data to identify and prioritize relevant public health strategic issues. Speakers will also discuss how this strategic planning approach helps communities to be proactive in positioning for the future, rather than simply reacting to existing problems.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Planning, Assessments

Related Web page: www.naccho.org/topics/infrastructure/MAPP.cfm

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 ] Recorded presentation

Strategic Planning for Local Public Health: Merging Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment Data for Community Health

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA