Using public health intelligence - a guide
Public health intelligence is incorporated into many models and tools to support the public health services, some of which are listed below.
The Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) has compiled a guide to APHO intelligence tools giving links to key public health data sources on Cancer, Child & maternal health, Drugs & alcohol, Health inequalities, Health needs, Hospital episodes & admissions, Infectious & communicable disease, Injuries & violence, Lifestyle, diet & exercise, Long term conditions, Mental health, Sexual health, Smoking, and Social care, adults & older people.
PCC has compiled a list of Analytical Tools to Support Commisisoning (Jan 2012)
There are a number of freely available local and national resources, or you can find detailed information about the health and wellbeing of the population of Milton Keynes here.
In addition there are some relevant e-learning resources which you may find useful.
Frequently used public health tools
Are there other tools we should add to this list? Please contact us or complete the comments box below.
Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)
Equality Impact Assessment is the process by which public organisations must seek to meet their legal requirements to narrow the health inequalities. By law, public organisations must carry out and publish EqIAs for all their policies and programmes in order to take into account Disability , Ethnicity , Gender, Age , Sexual orientation , Religion or belief , Socio-economic disadvantage.
EqIA is one of the activities described in the MK Commissioning, DIsinvestment and Contracting Manual.
Health Needs Assessment (HNA)
Health needs assessment is a systematic method for reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities. A needs assessment is one of the activities described in the MK Commissioning, Disinvestment and Contracting Manual.
The Commissioning Support for London Health Needs Assessment (HNA) toolkit, NICE HNA guide and HNA template from East Kent may also be of interest.
Public Health Annual Report
The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health is a key document for all organisations and individuals involved or interested in the health of the people of Milton Keynes. It is intended to inform the development of local policy and practice. Public Health Annual Reports for 2003 to date are available here.
Ten Top Tips summarises lessons from a competition for the best DPH Annual Report run by the Association of the Directors of Public Health.
Health Inequalities
Health Inequalities Intervention Toolkit
The toolkit includes Life Expectancy Tools (Spearhead areas only), Infant Mortality tool, and an Intervention Tool for All areas (life expectancy in each English local authority).
Health Inequalities Gap Measurement Tool
The ‘gap tool’ provides detailed information on the nature and extent of health inequalities across England. It shows inequality gaps in mortality rates within and between areas by grouping local populations according to relative levels of deprivation
Health Inequality Indicators for Local Authorities and Primary Care Organisations
Ddata on health inequality in each local authority, county council and primary care organisation in England presented as the slope index of inequality in life expectancy, for males and for females. Summaries are provided for each area.
Sexual Health Balanced Scorecard
A snapshot of sexual health for each Primary Care Trust in England. Interactive maps and charts enable comparisons to be made regionally and nationally across a range of indicators relating to teenage pregnancy, abortions, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other relevant issues.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
The JSNA identifies the health and wellbeing needs (and inequalities in those needs) of the local population and is used widely to inform the strategic planning for the community. There are a number of resource collections of interest:
E-learning resources supporting the use of public health intelligence
Quality MK is happy to 'share with pride' our work, but ask that you acknowledge with a link to www.qualitymk.nhs.uk
Owner: Public health intelligence analyst. Last Updated: 20/01/2012
