The role of a Prospective Public Health Intervention Study Register in building public health evidence: proposal for content and use.
Evidence-informed practice is a key component of public health and the focus of much discussion, of which the nature of evidence and how it is best gathered and appraised has formed a large part. Prospective registration of trials is now a key component of rigour and quality in clinical research and has been supported at an international level through the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Program. This paper discusses the scope and benefits of trial registration in clinical research, including greater transparency and reduced publication bias. It then considers the potential for a Prospective Public Health Intervention Studies Register specific to the needs of public health and aspects to be included in such a register. It is argued that this initiative has the potential to facilitate increased global cooperation and efficiency in the production of high quality evidence and ultimately in improved health outcomes for populations.
Waters
Elizabeth
E
Cochrane Health Promotion and Public Health Field, VicHealth, 15-31 Pelham Street (PO Box 154), Carlton South, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia. elizabeth.waters@deakin.edu.au
Priest
Naomi
N
Armstrong
Rebecca
R
Oliver
Sandy
S
Baker
Philip
P
McQueen
David
D
Summerbell
Carolyn
C
Kelly
Michael P
MP
Swinburn
Boyd
B
D001315:Australia; D035843:Biomedical Research; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012042:Registries; D006113:United Kingdom