Appraising the Evidence for Public Health Policy Components Using the Quality and Impact of Component Evidence Assessment

An essential strategy expected to reduce the global burden of chronic and cardiovascular disease is evidence-based policy. However, it is often unknown what specific components should constitute an evidence-based policy intervention. We have developed an expedient method to appraise and compare the strengths of the evidence bases suggesting that individual components of a policy intervention will contribute to the positive public health impact of that intervention. Using a new definition of “best available evidence,” the Quality and Impact of Component (QuIC) Evidence Assessment analyzes dimensions of evidence quality and evidence of public health impact to categorize multiple policy component evidence bases along a continuum of “emerging,” “promising impact,” “promising quality,” and “best.” QuIC was recently applied to components from 2 policy interventions to prevent and improve the outcomes of cardiovascular disease: public-access defibrillation and community health workers. Results illustrate QuIC’s utility in international policy practice and research.

Highlights

• It is often unknown what components should comprise evidence-based health policy.
• Our method compares “best available evidence” for individual policy components.
• Results translate a broad base of information for policymaker audiences.