Talking the Talk: Research-SORH Perspective

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Talking the Talk Research-SORH Perspective

• Jan Probst, Ph.D.
• Director, Associate Professor
• Amy Martin, Dr.P.H.
• Deputy Director, Research Assistant Professor

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What I will address

• Who we are
• Innovative ways we present data to policymakers
• Examples of ways to examine data that lead to
  action (or at least a compelling story!)
• Examples of strategic partnerships in educating
  policymakers

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Our Mission

• to increase knowledge of persistent inequities in
  health status among populations of the rural US,
  with an emphasis on factors related to
  socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and
  access to healthcare services.

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http//www.ruralhealthresearch.org
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Obj 1 Example of innovative data presentation
Hurricane Katrina What were the policy
ramifications?
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Proposed 10 Billion in Medicaid Cuts And how
would that have helped?
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(No Transcript)
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Obj 2 Ways to examine data that lead to a
compelling storyif not action!

• Problems
• CSHCN program in danger of losing
• No real improvements in health or access
• 340,033 children with Special Health Care Needs
  (ages 0 - 21) found from the data sources
  1996-1998.
• This was 29 of the child population.
• Courtesy of SC Budget Control Board, Office of
  Research Statistics

Hot zone, 42 and 38 of children had special
needsbut what?
Result Medicaid funds a pilot pediatric asthma
case management program
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Obj 3 Examples of Strategic Partnerships

• Advisory leadership structures
• Understanding the inherent needs of each partner
• The results can be greater than the parts!

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Expert Work Group

• Provides advice on the science and
  policy-relevance of our work.
• Chair William A. Robinson, MD, MPH.
• Members
• L. Gary Hart, PhD, University of Arizona
• Rosemary McKenzie, NRHA
• Keith Mueller, PhD, RURPRI
• Michael Samuels, DrPH, University of Kentucky

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Researchers-Users Network

• Provides advice on policy-relevance, who needs to
  see the study, how best to carry the message
• Chair Graham Adams, PhD
• Members
• Catherine Hess, National Academy for State Health
  Policy
• Patrick Libbey, NACCHO
• Roberta (Bobbi) Ryder, National Center for
  Farmworker Health
• Robert Graham, MD, University of Cincinnati
• Michael Beachler, formerly of RWJF and Obici
  Healthcare Foundation

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SCRHRC-SCORH Model Relationship

• The need for an academic/research partner
• What to look for
• Garners respect from scientific community
• Doesnt want to get out in front of you
• Empowers you, as both a messenger research
  partner
• Understanding of the needs of university-based
  researchers (How academicians keep their jobs)
• SORH active involvement in training rural
  researchers

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Conclusion

• Define the policy issue youre trying to address
  with as much clarity as you can.
• Make information tell a story, rather than arcane
  facts
• Find a strong data partner who understands and
  appreciates your agenda, while you understand
  their professional environment
• Questions?