Using Expert Panels to Elicit Potential Multi-Level Determinants of EBPH Practice Related to Population Health, Social Determinants and Alleviating Health Disparities

Twelve members of an expert panel (researchers and practitioners) were interviewed to elicit their opinions about factors that may influence whether LHDs use evidence-based public health strategies (EBPH) to address population health, social determinants of health and health disparities. Participants responded to a series of questions regarding: their definition of EBPH; ways to identify and assess the use of EBPH strategies; and perceived barriers/enablers to the use of these strategies at the state and local levels. Interview guides were sent to participants in advance, and participants returned written responses at least one day prior to the interview. During the interview, participants were asked to elaborate / clarify their written responses. Interviews were conducted by the two principal investigators, and a note taker.

We will discuss the results of the interviews including: Practices, processes and activities that represent the use of EBPH strategies. Recommendations on the types of evidence that can be used to assess the extent to which LHDs use EBPH strategies; Potential factors at the state and local (including local health department, board of health and community) levels that may influence whether local health departments use EBPH strategies to address population health, social determinants of health and health disparities.

Findings were used to select variables from the dataset of the 2010 ASTHO, NACCHO, and NALBOH profile studies to use in a study of factors influencing EBPH at the LHD level.