Finally some evidence to guide health status measurement

New Rochelle, NY, December 18, 2024–A scoping review of indices to measure a community’s health status is published in the peer-reviewed journal Population Health Management. Click here to read the article now.

Composite health indicators are valuable tools to assess population health over time and to identify areas for intervention.

Susan Pastula, MPH, from EpidStrategies (a division of ToxStrategies LLC), and coauthors, used the following steps to conduce the scoping review: identify the research question, identify relevant studies, chart the data, collate and report results.

The researchers concluded that, “While a limited number of community health indices were identified in the scoping review, the indices included a broad range of indicators covering both health outcomes and factors contributing to health vulnerabilities. The public data sources and geographic information integration of the indices provide potential for broad, insightful applications to various contexts across the US.”

“Using these indices to perform a multi-factorial assessment of community health patterns may help inform regional, state, and local policy strategies that aim to improve community health and reduce social inequities,” stated the investigators.

“Susan and her colleagues did a masterful job in adding to our knowledge of measuring the health status of populations,” says David Nash, MD, MBA, Editor-in-Chief of Population Health Management, and Founding Dean Emeritus and Dr. Raymond C. and Doris N. Grandon Professor, Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, PA. “This work is a cornerstone in support of the move to Value Based Payment and reducing waste in our system of care.”

About the Journal
Population Health Management is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online that reflects the expanding scope of health care management and quality. The Journal delivers a comprehensive, integrated approach to the field of population health and provides information designed to improve the systems and policies that affect health care quality, access, and outcomes. Comprised of peer-reviewed original research papers, clinical research, and perspectives, the content encompasses a broad range of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, depression, and obesity) in addition to focusing on various aspects of prevention and wellness. Tables of Contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Population Health Management website. Population Health Management is the official journal of the Population Health Alliance.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.