michigan informatics

Introduction to Evidence-Based Public Health

Evidence-based public health is...

"... the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of communities and populations in the domain of health protection, disease prevention, health maintenance and improvement." [1]

"... the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs and policies in public health through application of principles of scientific reasoning, including systematic uses of data and information systems, and appropriate use of behavioral science theory and program planning models." [2]

Evidence-based public health is the process of decision making based on a synthesis of the best available evidence, applicable theoretical models, professional experience, and knowledge of the specific population.

Although the evidence-based movement began in medicine, it is now widely applied to public health, especially in the areas of public policy, program implementation, and public health nursing. In 2000, the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), passed a resolution on evidence-based public health. The American Public Health Association recognized the growing importance of EBPH and devoted the 2005 Annual Meeting to evidence-based public health. Additionally, many state and local health departments explicitly employ evidence-based practices. Some examples include:

• New York State Department of Health
• Wisconsin Public Health Council
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygeine
• Seattle and King County Public Health
• Oregon Public Mental Health
• Colorado Prevention Leadership Council

1. Jenicek M. Epidemiology, Evidenced-based Medicine, and Evidence-based Public Health. J Epidemiol. 1997 Dec;7(4):187-97.
2. Brownson, Ross C., Elizabeth A. Baker, Terry L. Leet, and Kathleen N. Gillespie, Editors. Evidence-Based Public Health. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.