Research
Why It Is Important
- Research and evaluation are key components of public health that help determine best practices, identify new and emerging areas of interest, and continually improve aspects of the public’s health. The 2004 report, Bridging the Health Divide: The Rural Public Health Research Agenda, recognized the need to expand efforts in rural public health research beyond access to health services to a broader focus of factors that contribute to the public health in a rural community.1
- Evaluation ensures quality programming and optimal use of limited resources.
Our Focus- The USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness is committed to helping build the knowledge base for public health practice, public health infrastructure, and public health emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery.
- The USA Center use a multiple-methods approach for research and evaluation, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the processes that lead to and the outcomes of effective public health.
- Our research and evaluation projects are designed to add to the overall knowledge base for public health; however, the specific and unique needs of rural communities are of particular interest.
Benefits of Public Health Practice Research and Evaluation- Build knowledge base for public health research and evaluation with attention to the broader spectrum of public health in rural communities.
- Identify gaps in existing areas of public health research and evaluation and address new and emerging areas of interest.
Opportunities for Your Community, Agency, or Organization- Partner in research proposal development, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Contribute to the field of rural public health practice and preparedness.
- Utilize evaluation findings to improve public health practice and ensure effective and quality programs.
1See: Center for Rural Health Practice. Bridging the health divide: the rural public health research agenda. University of Pittsburgh; 2004.
Texas A&M Health Science Center
School of Rural Public Health
1266 TAMU
College Station, Texas
77843-1266
(979) 845-2387
