Tools for implementing an evidence-based approach in public health practice

Increasing disease rates, limited funding, and the ever-growing scientific basis for intervention demand the use of proven strategies to improve population health. Public health practitioners must be ready to implement an evidencebased approach in their work to meet health goals and sustain necessary resources. We researched easily accessible and time-efficient tools for implementing an evidence-based public health (EBPH) approach to improve population health. Several tools have been developed to meet EBPH needs, including free online resources in the following topic areas, training and planning tools, US health surveillance, policy tracking and surveillance, systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines, economic evaluation, and gray literature. Key elements of EBPH are engaging the community in assessment and decision making, using data and information systems systematically, making decisions on the basis of the best available peer-reviewed evidence (both quantitative and qualitative), applying programplanning frameworks (often based in health-behavior theory), conducting sound evaluation, and disseminating what is learned.