Barriers and Facilitators to Collaboration Between Local Health Departments and Schools and Programs of Public Health – A Mixed-Methods Study

Kevin A Kovach,Griselle Torres,Cristina R Welter,Steven M Seweryn

doi:10.33596/coll.38

Abstract

Collaboration between local health departments (LHDs) and schools and programs of public health (SPPH) have potential to improve public health practice, education and research. However, little is known about the barriers and facilitators to LHD and SPPH collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to identify and explore factors that affect the level of collaboration between LHDs and SPPH. A mixed-methods study was used. LHD characteristics associated with the degree of collaboration with SPPH were identified thorough a survey, and these and other factors were explored through group interviews with LHD practitioners and faculty from SPPH. Proximity, community size, organizational capacity, and goal and process clarity were all found to influence the degree of collaboration. This study highlights needs and opportunities for expanding collaboration between LHDs and SPPH.

Highlights

Local health departments (LHDs) are part of the governmental public health system which aims to improve population health by assuring conditions in which people can be healthy
NACCHO shows that only 31% of LHDs have formal partnerships with schools and programs of public health (SPPH), and fewer appear to be engaged in strategic initiatives (NACCHO, 2016)
Bi-variate analysis showed that all LHD characteristics assessed were associated with the degree of collaboration

Summary

Introduction

Local health departments (LHDs) are part of the governmental public health system which aims to improve population health by assuring conditions in which people can be healthy. Academic health departments (AHDs) are formal partnerships between academic institutions and public health practice organizations and have been advanced as a way to improve public health practice, teaching, and research. Collaboration between LHDs and schools and programs of public health (SPPH) (defined as academic public health programs accredited by or seeking accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health) may be of strategic importance. LHDs may benefit from enhanced capacity to deal with resource reductions, and from expertise to assist with public health accreditation and evidence-based practice (Sosnowy et al, 2013; Ye, Leep, & Newman, 2015). This study aimed to fill these gaps by identifying LHD characteristics associated with the degree of collaboration and exploring in depth insight from LHD officials and faculty from SPPH about why these factors influenced their collaboration

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion