Improving public health through state health improvement planning: a framework for action

State health improvement plans (SHIPs) identify priorities for making the greatest impacts on health promotion and disease prevention, specific to the needs of state populations. Both SHIPs and the state health assessments on which they are based are prerequisites for Public Health Accreditation Board national accreditation.

To identify and evaluate existing SHIPs to develop guidance to support health departments in the state health improvement planning process.

In 2010, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) conducted a comprehensive search for existing SHIPs. A systematic evaluation of existing SHIPS was accomplished by means of primary source document review using a standardized data collection form. Using data derived from these SHIPs and guidance from a workgroup of practitioners, ASTHO developed the ASTHO SHIP Guidance and Resources (SHIP Guidance) Framework.

The search yielded 25 states (49%) having a SHIP completed or in progress. Fifteen states (29%) had no SHIP but had a Healthy People plan, and 10 states (20%) had no SHIP or Healthy People plan. No information was available for 1 state. Findings were reviewed, evaluated, and incorporated into the SHIP Guidance. The SHIP Guidance provides a framework for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a SHIP process using 12 key steps.

As public health/health care integration and accreditation readiness activity grows, multisector engagement through a SHIP will continue to be a priority for state public health and improving health outcomes. The SHIP Guidance provides a systematic, flexible approach for states conducting or updating state health assessments and SHIPs.