Benita Cohen1, Katherine Salter2, Anita Kothari3, Marlene Janzen Le Ber4, Suzanne Lemieux5, Kathy Moran6, Caroline Wai7, Deborah Antonello8, Jordan Robson8, Rosana Salvaterra9. 1. College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 2. Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Elborn College, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 3. School of Health Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 4. Brescia University College, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. 5. Sudbury & District Health Unit, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. 6. Durham Region Health Department, Whitby, Ontario, Canada. 7. Toronto Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 8. Algoma Public Health, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. 9. Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Funded by a Public Health Ontario 'Locally Driven Collaborative Project' grant, a team led by public health practitioners set out to develop and test a comprehensive set of indicators to guide health equity work in local public health agencies (LPHAs). METHODS: The project began with a scoping review, consultation with content experts, and development of a face-validated set of indicators aligned with the four public health roles to address health inequities (NCCDH, 2014), plus a fifth set of indicators related to an organizational and system development role. We report here on the field testing of the indicators for feasibility, face validity (clarity, relevance), reliability, and comparability in four Ontario LPHAs. Data were collected by two separate individuals or groups at each site, during two consecutive periods. These individuals participated in separate focus groups at the end of each test period, which further examined indicator clarity, data source availability and relevance. A third focus group explored anticipated indicator uses. RESULTS: Field testing showed that indicators addressed important issues in all public health roles. Although the capacity for indicator use varied, all test sites found the indicators useful. Suggestions for improved clarity were used to refine the final set of indicators, and to develop a Health Equity Indicator User Guide with background information and recommended resources. CONCLUSION: The process of evaluating health equity-related activity within LPHAs is still in its early stages. This project provides Ontario LPHAs with a tool to guide health equity work that may be adaptable to other Canadian jurisdictions.
INTRODUCTION: Funded by a Public Health Ontario 'Locally Driven Collaborative Project' grant, a team led by public health practitioners set out to develop and test a comprehensive set of indicators to guide health equity work in local public health agencies (LPHAs). METHODS: The project began with a scoping review, consultation with content experts, and development of a face-validated set of indicators aligned with the four public health roles to address health inequities (NCCDH, 2014), plus a fifth set of indicators related to an organizational and system development role. We report here on the field testing of the indicators for feasibility, face validity (clarity, relevance), reliability, and comparability in four Ontario LPHAs. Data were collected by two separate individuals or groups at each site, during two consecutive periods. These individuals participated in separate focus groups at the end of each test period, which further examined indicator clarity, data source availability and relevance. A third focus group explored anticipated indicator uses. RESULTS: Field testing showed that indicators addressed important issues in all public health roles. Although the capacity for indicator use varied, all test sites found the indicators useful. Suggestions for improved clarity were used to refine the final set of indicators, and to develop a Health Equity Indicator User Guide with background information and recommended resources. CONCLUSION: The process of evaluating health equity-related activity within LPHAs is still in its early stages. This project provides Ontario LPHAs with a tool to guide health equity work that may be adaptable to other Canadian jurisdictions.
Keywords:
Ontario; health equity; indicators; public health practice
Authors: Benita E Cohen; Annette Schultz; Elizabeth McGibbon; Madine VanderPlaat; Raewyn Bassett; Kathy GermAnn; Hope Beanlands; Lesley Anne Fuga Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2013-03-06