title: The Relationship of Policymaking and Networking Characteristics among Leaders of Large Urban Health Departments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between policy networks and policy development among local health departments (LHDs) is a growing area of interest to public health practitioners and researchers alike. In this study, we examine policy activity and ties between public health leadership across large urban health departments.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study uses data from a national profile of local health departments as well as responses from a survey sent to three staff members (local health official, chief of policy, chief science officer) in each of 16 urban health departments in the United States. Network questions related to frequency of contact with health department personnel in other cities. Using exponential random graph models, network density and centrality were examined, as were patterns of communication among those working on several policy areas using exponential random graph models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 16 LHDs were active in communicating about chronic disease as well as about use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). Connectedness was highest among local health officials (density = .55), and slightly lower for chief science officers (d = .33) and chiefs of policy (d = .29). After accounting for organizational characteristics, policy homophily (i.e., when two network members match on a single characteristic) and tenure were the most significant predictors of formation of network ties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Networking across health departments has the potential for accelerating the adoption of public health policies. This study suggests similar policy interests and formation of connections among senior leadership can potentially drive greater connectedness among other staff.
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Foundation, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1310E Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA. leider@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jonathon P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leider
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Foundation, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1310E Bethesda, Maryland, MD 20814, USA. castrucci@debeaumont.org.
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Castrucci
authors.affiliation: Brown School, Center for Public Health Systems Science, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, MO 63130, USA. harrisj@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Jenine K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Director, Big Cities Health Coalition, National Association of County and City Health Officials, 1100 17th Street, NW, Seventh Floor, Washington, DC 20036, USA. shearne@naccho.org.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hearne
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D011050:Policy Making; D011634:Public Health; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014481:United States; D014504:Urban Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: big cities health coalition; network research; policy networks; public health systems; urban health