University of New England

Translating research into policy and practice for health

The Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research (CHPPR) is a department of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine dedicated to improving the health status of populations. We identify, develop and evaluate innovations related to access, delivery and quality of health care and health policy.

CHPPR believes that:

• Strategies to improve healthcare access and delivery should be evidence-based and built upon the tenets of patient-centered care.
• Lasting improvements in health status occur when communities, families, patients and health providers participate in planning and implementing change.
• Successful innovations in health care at the community level inform effective policy innovations at state and national levels.

CHPPR performs high quality planning, training, research and evaluation services across five health areas:

• Policy Research on innovations that directly impact the delivery of health care. Areas of focus include access to care, quality of care, health insurance coverage and use of information technology. We conduct research to identify programs that meet population health care needs and perform evaluation studies to determine the impact and cost-benefit of programs.
• Primary Health Care with a special focus on chronic disease prevention, treatment and care coordination. We assess the use of primary care services for appropriateness and cost-benefit. We design and/or evaluate models and processes for improving quality and access to care. Our work informs integration of care across the continuum (medical, community and patient), improves patient self-management and identifies health disparities.
• Health Informatics with a special focus on strategies that optimize the use of health data and information systems for decision-making by healthcare providers, consumers and policy-makers.
• Community Health Needs Assessment/Benefit Planning to identify priority health needs in populations and sub-populations. We use a comprehensive data driven process to identify best practice solutions that fit with the local needs of populations and the delivery system.
• Health Communication and Training with a focus on health literacy, plain language, and clear health communication. We help organizations develop clear health communication policies, train health professionals in effective communication strategies, and develop print and web-based materials that are appropriate and accessible to consumers/patients.

Organizations that benefit from our services include health providers, insurers, health focused associations, and governments.

The Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research is located in Proctor Hall on UNE's Westbrook College Campus in Portland, Maine.