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Priscilla A. Barnes, MPH, PhD
Professional Bio
Priscilla Barnes, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University. Previously, Dr. Barnes worked for the U.S. Air Force as the health education program manager and the National Association of County and City Health Officials as a program manager on the Exploring Accreditation project. She also served as the program director of the Minority Health Partnership (MHP), a section of the Calhoun County Public Health Department in Battle Creek, MI, and as a public health prevention specialist at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Project Description
Local health departments can improve the overall health status of the public, as well as improve their functions and practices, by forming partnerships with non-governmental organizations. These partnerships have helped local health departments to identify and solve problems, expand services and resources and convene members of the local public health system to achieve a common goal. Barnes' study examines the factors that influence the presence or absence of partnerships between local health departments and non-governmental agencies in improving health outcomes among disadvantaged populations.
As part of her project, she is conducting a literature review on models and tools used by local health departments to engage in partnerships with non-governmental agencies; exploring factors that produce or hinder partnerships between local health departments and non-governmental agencies and determining if these factors are important at certain stages of collaboration for different types of organizations involved; and developing recommendations essential for public health practice.
Findings
A systematic literature review was conducted to measure the effectiveness of partnerships between LHDs and non-governmental agencies to improve community health outcomes, particularly among hard-to-reach populations. Electronic searches using PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Scopus from 1994 through December 2006 will be used to identify printed reports and studies. The literature review yielded 12 articles, 1 monograph, and 2 reports. Existing studies were organized into four categories: (a) descriptive studies highlighting partnership development, lessons learned, and elements of success (b) case studies describing in detail partnership development, implementation, and lessons learned; (c) evaluation reports of a state-wide study on an initiative that encourages partnership formation and involvement; (d) national study on partnership between LHDs and a non-governmental organization. Community partnerships primarily involved multiple (broad-based partnerships) organizations as opposed to two (single based partnerships) organizations working together on initiatives. Several articles described that financial support was provided by national initiatives such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Turning Point Initiative, and state or local funding. These findings were used to inform case study research.
Following the literature review, twenty interviews were conducted with active community partners involved with the Turning Point initiative in Oklahoma. Interviews were conducted with county administrators (n=4), health educators (n=2), Turning Point chairs (n=2), field consultants (n=3), and community members (n=4) were interviewed. Results revealed that coalition models ranged from formal, semi-formal, and loose structures. Key partnership factors reported were passion/energy among members and utilization of community-driven assessments to identify needs. Primary roles of LHDs and community agencies varied based on community involvement and size of jurisdiction. Small counties reported LHDs facilitated and coordinated coalition activities while larger counties efforts were led by community agencies. Implications suggest key factors that may improve how to maintenance these partnerships.
Project Updates
I am working with senior investigators in the field of PHSSR to publish the literature review. I am also exploring opportunities to conduct qualitative research on local health departments or public health partnerships that work to address health disparities through advocacy and policy initiatives during my postdoctoral fellowship.
Why I Applied to New Connections
My research interests aligned with the mission of New Connections and the initiatives of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Public Health team. I also needed more advanced learning on research methodology and academic writing. Lastly, I desired to be part of a network that understood my passion in addressing health disparities and conducting practice-based research.
What New Connections Means for my Career
Being part of New Connections has been an opportunity of a lifetime! New Connections has greatly impacted my professional development by providing me with a network of peers and experts in the field with similar interests I also have collaborated on projects and scientific publications and benefited from their expertise as I prepare for a career in academe.
Research Interests
Public health systems and services research, health education/health promotion and health disparities
Discipline(s)
Public Health
Populations Served
Local health departments
Publications
I am working with senior investigators in the field of PHSSR to publish the literature review. I am also exploring opportunities to conduct qualitative research on local health departments or public health partnerships that work to address health disparities through advocacy and policy initiatives during my postdoctoral fellowship.