Evidence-Based Public Health

This chapter discusses the need for Evidence-Based Public Health, and the challenges of assessing scientific evidence for Public Health Action and developing an Action Plan and Implementing Interventions.

Abstract

Public health decisions are often based on short-term demands rather than long-term study, and policies and programs are sometimes developed from anecdotal evidence. To enhance evidence-based practice, this book provides practical guidance on how to choose, carry out, and evaluate evidence-based programs and policies in public health settings. "Evidence" is central to our notion of justice, but is equally central to public health. In public health there are four principal user groups for evidence: public health practitioners with executive and managerial responsibilities; policy makers at loca ... More