Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Identification of innovation in public health
Matthew Fung1, Sue Simpson, Claire Packer
1National Horizon Scanning Centre, Public health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. m.fung@bham.ac.uk
Background:
The National Horizon Scanning Centre provides national policy-makers in England with forewarning about emerging and new health technologies. This includes public health interventions (PHIs) but identification of these interventions is not always easy.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to explore the meaning and define innovation in public health.
Methods:
We used a quasi-Delphi method with questionnaire 1 sent to 106 public health and horizon scanning professionals and decision-makers in June 2008. Questionnaire 2 was developed based on answers to questionnaire 1 and sent to all respondents.
Results:
A definition of innovative PHIs was developed: 'Innovative PHIs are generally new and different to established interventions. They should be equitable, applicable to all in a population, cost-effective and may address health determinants in the non-health sector of society. A good evidence base is ideal, but sometimes it may be necessary to consider PHIs lacking evidence'. Sources suggested for identifying innovative PHIs were similar to those used for other types of health technologies.
Conclusion:
Our findings should help early awareness and alert systems distinguish innovative from non-innovative PHIs, although its application in practice needs trialling.
Related Concept Videos
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results from...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention I
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
