Examining Contributions of Prevention Research Center toward Improving Public Health Practice and Policy

Examining Contributions of Prevention Research Center toward Improving Public Health Practice and Policy - SIP 17-00

Principal Investigator: Sally M. Davis, Ph.D.
Senior Co-Investigator: Everett Rogers, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator and Project Director: Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Ph.D.
Start and End Dates: 09/30/00– 6/30/05
Sources of Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- DHHS

Does research have a practical impact? Does public health research improve the public’s health? If so, what are the factors and best strategies or models to bring this about? These are the questions raised in this collaborative research project. Using a multiple case study research design, this project began by studying how the results of research are disseminated and utilized in public health contexts in communities, specifically in seven New Mexico communities. The purpose was to discover the conditions that enhance or impede the ability of research to transform public health policy and practice in communities. The ultimate goal is to use the results to formulate strategies to facilitate the use of research results, and to create models and research methods for the future study of research utilization in public health.

Project investigators received supplementary funding to conduct an intensive literature review with the University of North Carolina Prevention Research Center. The project was also expanded to include case studies of community research projects from two other PRCs, the University of Washington and St. Louis University.

An additional expansion of the project was initiated to determine lessons learned about research utilization from academic and community members of the entire PRC Network, consisting of 33 PRCs nationwide. Because PRCs vary in the degree and type of research utilization activities in which they are involved, useful lessons can be learned from their varied experiences. Interviews were conducted with eight PRC Directors and their community partners about their experiences with dissemination and utilization of research, barriers they have encountered, and how these barriers are being addressed.

Results from this project are included in a supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine currently in press. Dr. Sally Davis is the Guest Editor as well as among the researchers who contributed articles.

For more information about this project, please contact Dr. Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, at (505) 272-4462 or ldcunningham-sabo@salud.unm.edu.