Improving Data-Driven Decision Making for Primary Prevention: Providing Data Interpretation Resources to Schools and...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Communities seek primary prevention strategies to reduce health inequities.
• Limited access to local social determinants of health data hinders community-led initiatives.
• Lack of data interpretation skills impedes effective decision-making for health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the utility of population-based youth health surveys for assessing health behaviors and risk factors.
• To demonstrate how local data and resources can inform community-level primary prevention efforts.
• To advocate for the use of school-based surveys to promote health equity.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing existing population-based youth health surveys administered in middle and high schools.
• Providing participating schools and districts with data reports and interpretation resources.
• Focusing on risk and protective factors relevant to social determinants of health.

Main Results:

• Surveys can effectively assess health behaviors and identify risk and protective factors among youth.
• Local data empowers schools and districts to understand community health needs.
• Data interpretation resources facilitate informed local decision-making and action.

Conclusions:

• School-based youth health surveys are valuable tools for primary prevention and reducing health inequities.
• Providing local data and interpretation support enables communities to address social determinants of health.
• This model can be replicated by other states to foster collaborative primary prevention efforts.