title: Evidence-based decision making in public health.
abstract: A stronger focus on evidence-based decision making in day-to-day public health practice is needed. This article describes the rationale for this need, including (1) the inter-relationships between evidence-based medicine and evidence-based public health (EBPH); (2) commonly used analytic tools and processes; (3) keys to when public health action is warranted; (4) a strategic, six-step approach to more analytic decision making; and (5) summary barriers and opportunities for widespread implementation of EBPH. The approach outlined is being tested through a series of courses for mid-level managers in the Missouri Department of Health--initial results from a pilot test are encouraging. It is hoped that the greater use of an evidence-based framework in public health will lead to more effective programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health at the Saint Louis University School of Public Health, MO, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gurney
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Land
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008923:Missouri; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design