title: The private partners of public health: public-private alliances for public good.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to convey lessons learned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) about the value and challenges of private-sector alliances resulting in innovative health promotion strategies. Several PRCs based in a variety of workplace and community settings contributed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted interviews with principal investigators, a literature review, and a review of case studies of private-sector alliances in a microbusiness model, a macrobusiness model, and as multiparty partnerships supporting public health research, implementation, and human resource services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Private-sector alliances provide many advantages, particularly access to specialized skills generally beyond the expertise of public health entities. These skills include manufacturing, distribution, marketing, business planning, and development. Alliances also allow ready access to employee populations. Public health entities can offer private-sector partners funding opportunities through special grants, data gathering and analysis skills, and enhanced project credibility and trust. Challenges to successful partnerships include time and resource availability and negotiating the cultural divide between public health and the private sector. Critical to success are knowledge of organizational culture, values, mission, currency, and methods of operation; an understanding of and ability to articulate the benefits of the alliance for each partner; and the ability and time to respond to unexpected changes and opportunities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Private-public health alliances are challenging, and developing them takes time and resources, but aspects of these alliances can capitalize on partners' strengths, counteract weaknesses, and build collaborations that produce better outcomes than otherwise possible. Private partners may be necessary for program initiation or success. CDC guidelines and support materials may help nurture these alliances.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Peacham, VT 05862, USA. sharon.mcdonnell@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Marci Kramish
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Ano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lobb
authors.forename: Peggy A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D011203:Poverty; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods*; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014930:Women