# Presentation: 063663

## Tools of the Trade:  The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Policy Project

- Bernadette Ford Lattimore, MPH
- Applied Research and Translation Team, DHDSP
- 2007 HDSP Training
- September 18, 2007

## Disclaimer

- 	The findings and conclusions in the presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

## Collaborators

- Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (contractor)
- CDC/DHDSP Staff
- Northrop Grumman
- Whole Health
- American Heart Association
- Metro Nashville Department of Health
- Illinois State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program
- North Carolina State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

## Background

- Policy and environmental scans for program planning
- Research needed to
- Document state level HDSP policies
- Provide guidance in policy development, implementation, and evaluation

## A Project is Born!

- Project period:  August 2004 – August 2006
- Extended to October 2006
- Contractor:  Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
- Mapping Experts:  Northrop Grumman (added in year 2)

## Purpose of Project

- To identify and categorize Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention legislative policies
- To assess policies using an evaluation framework
- To create a policy database and related resources

## Technical Approach

- Extensive literature review
- Establishment of expert panel
- Focus group/key informant interviews
- Policy database creation with mapping function
- HDSP policy assessment
- Project summary reports (interim and final)

## Literature Review

- Searched published and unpublished literature
- Search limited to policies and activities specific to heart disease and stroke
- Annotated bibliography was created with 174 sources

## Focus Group

- Focus group conducted with state programs on March 2, 2005.
- Purpose – to gain information on state policy activities
- Seven participants (five from BI states, one from a CB state) representing different regions volunteered.

## Focus Group Findings

- Mandates should be adequately funded to enact and enforce regulations.
- Partnerships with stakeholders can be beneficial in rallying for a policy.
- Data limitations may influence the ability to conduct policy evaluation.

## Key Informant Interviews

- Policy Experts
- Nine experts nationwide (lobbyists, legislative liaisons)
- Interviewed for 30 – 45 minutes
- Provided insight into policymaking in general

## Interview Findings

- Policy Development
- Awareness of issue
- Scientific research
- Policy Implementation
- Begins after legislation passes
- Led by state health department
- Policy Evaluation
- Not common
- Informal evaluation processes

## Project Deliverables

**Policy Database**
- Available online as of October 2006
- 209 HDSP policies in database
- Links to other policy resources
- Has mapping feature

## Slide 14

## Slide 15

## Project Deliverables

**Guide to the Fundamentals of Policymaking**
- Compilation of information from interviews
- Available as PDF on policy web site

**Policy Assessment Handbook**
- Results of seven policies assessed using RE-AIM framework
- Available as PDF on policy web site

## Project Findings

- Legislative policies are easier to access than organizational policies.
- HDSP-specific policies are scant pre-1978.  More policies are available from 2000 to present.
- Evaluation was non-existent for the majority of policies.
- Most policies dealt with AEDs and task force creation.

## How States Can Use Project Deliverables

- Use database to identify HDSP legislation specific to their state
- Refer to policymaking guide in development and implementation of policies
- Use policy assessment handbook to examine pros and cons of certain HDSP policies
- Use mapping function to view states with particular HDSP legislation of interest

## Latest Updates

- Began process of identifying person to update database
- Forward policies to me at _[blford@cdc.gov](mailto:blford@cdc.gov)_
- Include the following information:
- State
- Topic
- Status (see web site for definitions)
- Bill number
- Brief description

## Special Thanks

- Melanie Besculides and So O’Neil - MPR
- Susan Davis – DHDSP Communications Team
- Michele Casper – DHDSP SAA Team
- Northrop Grumman Staff
- David Ray
- Jeanie Barker
- Amy Edmonds
- Sarah Blake – Emory University

## HDSP Policy Database

- Available online at:
- _[www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/dhdspleg](http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/dhdspleg)_