Local Health Departments' Engagement in Addressing Health Disparities: The Effect of Health Informatics

Context: Health disparities and health inequities can lead to poor health outcomes. However, health disparities continue to persist in communities across the United States, presenting a crucial public health challenge. Persisting budget cuts and workforce challenges tend to hinder local health departments' (LHDs') ability to assess and address health disparities. Objectives: To examine the extent to which LHDs' use of informatics effects their engagement in strategies and activities addressing health disparities. Methods: Data from the 2016 Profile of LHDs were used in examining the association of informatics with 9 activities addressing health disparities/inequities. Results: Fifty-nine percent of LHDs used data and described health disparities in their jurisdiction, and 12% conducted original research to link health disparities to differences in social or environmental conditions. Less than 40% of LHDs prioritized resources for the reduction of health disparities. LHDs that implemented information systems had increased odds of describing the disparities in their jurisdiction (P
Source: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice - Category: Health Management Tags: Research Reports: Research Full Report Source Type: research