Preventable Death Rates Fell Where Communities Expanded Population Health Activities Through Multisector Networks.
The US health system faces mounting pressure to improve population health. Research suggests a need for greater coordination and alignment across the sectors that deliver medical, public health, and social services. This study uses sixteen years of data from a large cohort of US communities to measure the extent and nature of multisector contributions to population health activities and how these contributions affect community mortality rates. The results show that deaths due to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and influenza decline significantly over time among communities that expand multisector networks supporting population health activities. The findings imply that incentives and infrastructure supporting multisector population health activities may help close geographic and socioeconomic disparities in population health.
Glen P. Mays (glen.mays@uky.edu) is the F. Douglas Scutchfield Endowed Professor in Health Services and Systems Research, College of Public Health, at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington.
Glen P
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Mays
Cezar B. Mamaril is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky.
Cezar B
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Mamaril
Lava R. Timsina is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky.
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Timsina
D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D000075485:Population Health; D011634:Public Health; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012947:Social Work; D014505:Urban Population
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention; Organization and Delivery of Care; Public Health