Learning Health System to rapidly improve the implementation of a school physical activity policy

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Learning Health Systems (LHS) are recognized for improving public health interventions but lack documented applications in practice.
• An Australian public health unit utilized an LHS approach to enhance a school-based physical activity policy support model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of a Learning Health System approach in a public health setting.
• To improve a support model for implementing a school-based physical activity policy.

Main Methods:

• A research-practice partnership guided the LHS approach, incorporating capabilities like stakeholder engagement, workforce development, and data management.
• Three cycles of data generation and application were employed, using randomized controlled trials in primary schools to assess the support model's effectiveness, cost, and acceptability.
• Data were synthesized and presented to a multidisciplinary team for collaborative decision-making and model refinement.

Main Results:

• Cycle 1 demonstrated the initial model's feasibility and efficacy, leading to the addition of strategies to address remaining barriers.
• Cycle 2 established the model's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, with adaptations made to reduce delivery costs.
• Cycle 3 confirmed that cost-reduction adaptations did not negatively impact the model's effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• An effective, cost-effective, acceptable, and scalable policy implementation support model was developed.
• This case study offers valuable insights for other agencies implementing Learning Health System approaches to optimize evidence-based interventions.