Translating Research into Action: A Framework for Research That Supports Advances In Population Health

Authors

Steven H. Woolf, Center on Society and Health, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Jason Q. Purnell, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.Follow
Sarah Simon, Center on Society and Health, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Emily B. Zimmerman, Center on Society and Health, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Amber Haley, Center on Society and Health, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Gabriela J. Camberos, Community Health PartnershipFollow
Robert Fields, Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MOFollow

Abstract

The research community faces a growing need to deliver useful data and actionable evidence to support health systems and policymakers on ways to optimize the health of populations. Translating science into policy has not been the traditional strong suit of investigators, who typically view a journal publication as the endpoint of their work. They are less accustomed to seeing their data as an input to the work of communities and policymakers to improve population health. This article offers four suggestions as potential solutions: (1) shaping a research portfolio around user needs, (2) understanding the decision-making environment, (3) engaging stakeholders, and (4) strategic communication.

Recommended Citation

Woolf SH, Purnell JQ, Simon S, et al. Translating research into action: a framework for research that supports advances in population health. Front Public Health Serv Sys Res 2016; 5(3):28–34. DOI: 10.13023/FPHSSR.0503.05.