The Public Health Leadership and Implementation Academy for Noncommunicable Diseases

• Authors: Karla Galaviz Arredondo, Emory University; K.M. Venkat Narayan, Emory University; Olivia C. Manders, Emory University; Gabriela Torres-Mejia, National Institute of Public Health; Shifalika Goenka, Public Health Foundation of India; Deborah A McFarland, Emory University; K. Srinath Reddy, Public Health Foundation of India; Rafael Lozano, University of Washington; Laura Magana Valladares, National Institute of Public Health; Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Public Health Foundation of India; Mohammed K Ali, Emory University
• Journal Title: Preventing Chronic Disease
• Volume: Volume 16, Number 4
• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | 2019-04-01, Pages E49-E49
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.180517
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Biology, Biostatistics
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; INTERVENTIONS; LESSONS

Abstract

Purpose and Objectives Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a large burden of noncommunicable diseases and confront leadership capacity challenges and gaps in implementation of proven interventions. To address these issues, we designed the Public Health Leadership and Implementation Academy (PH-LEADER) for noncommunicable diseases. The objective of this program evaluation was to assess the quality and effectiveness of PH-LEADER. Intervention Approach PH-LEADER was directed at midcareer public health professionals, researchers, and government public health workers from LMICs who were involved in prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. The 1-year program focused on building implementation research and leadership capacity to address noncommunicable diseases and included 3 complementary components: a 2-month online preparation period, a 2-week summer course in the United States, and a 9-month, in-country, mentored project. Evaluation Methods Four trainee groups participated from 2013 through 2016. We collected demographic information on all trainees and monitored project and program outputs. Among the 2015 and 2016 trainees, we assessed program satisfaction and pre-post program changes in leadership practices and the perceived competence of trainees for performing implementation research. Results Ninety professionals (mean age 38.8 years; 57% male) from 12 countries were trained over 4 years. Of these trainees, 50% were from India and 29% from Mexico. Trainees developed 53 projects and 9 publications. Among 2015 and 2016 trainees who completed evaluation surveys (n = 46 of 55), we saw pre-post training improvements in the frequency with which they acted as role models (Cohen's d = 0.62, P < .001), inspired a shared vision (d = 0.43, P =.005), challenged current processes (d = 0.60, P < .001), enabled others to act (d = 0.51, P =.001), and encouraged others by recognizing or celebrating their contributions and accomplishments (d = 0.49, P =.002). Through short on-site evaluation forms (scale of 1-10), trainees rated summer course sessions as useful (mean, 7.5; SD = 0.2), with very good content (mean, 8.5; SD = 0.6) and delivered by very good professors (mean, 8.6; SD = 0.6), though they highlighted areas for improvement. Implications for Public Health The PH-LEADER program is a promising strategy to build implementation research and leadership capacity to address noncommunicable diseases in LMICs.