Springfield Healthy Hearts Data Framework: Protocol for a Co-Designed, City-Wide, Multicomponent Initiative That...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems Research
• Community Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality, influenced by behavioral, biological, and psychosocial factors.
• National responses to CVD are limited by policy inertia and fragmented systems.
• Place-based, systems-oriented approaches are needed to address CVD, engaging local assets and multisector stakeholders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the Springfield Healthy Hearts Data Framework, a multicomponent system for guiding, implementing, and evaluating coordinated heart health actions.
• To establish Greater Springfield as a "living laboratory" for cardiovascular health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• A co-design process involving community members, researchers, and health professionals developed the framework.
• The framework includes four components: project evaluation, community evaluation (individual risk factors), city evaluation (environmental indicators), and data synthesis.
• Quantitative and qualitative methods, including realist evaluation, will be used for project and community evaluations.

Main Results:

• The Springfield Healthy Hearts Data Framework was co-designed and prioritized.
• Community evaluation data collection is scheduled from September 2026 to August 2027.
• First results are anticipated for dissemination in early 2028.

Conclusions:

• The Springfield Healthy Hearts Data Framework offers a replicable model for city-wide, coordinated heart health action.
• Findings will be disseminated through publications, reports, dashboards, and policy briefs.
• This initiative aims to foster a continuous learning system for improving community cardiovascular health.