Study on population health by UNE’s Ron DePrez published in ‘Maine Policy Review’

A study on population health assessments (PHA) by Ron Deprez, Ph.D., M.P.H, associate research professor, was recently published in Maine Policy Review.

A PHA is a process for identifying nonmedical, social and economic determinants of health in a community, including risk factors associated with poor health status.

It focuses on diagnosing and improving population health disparities using public, private, and community-based strategies and resources.

DePrez’ study traces the evolution of PHAs and describes how they identify specific underlying factors in a community that adversely affect health.

The study also suggests criteria to prioritize health issues and strategies to help communities implement sustainable policy, infrastructure, or services improvements.

The study was co-authored by Chloe Manchester, a public health professional with a background in global maternal and reproductive health and childhood immunization.