Disseminating for Action Planning Guide: A Step-by-Step Guide for Dissemination of Public Health Evidence

Abstract

The gap between research and practice reduces the potential reach of evidence-based health promotion strategies. While the importance of disseminating evidence to intended users has been well-documented, less is understood about how to effectively plan and carry out targeted dissemination. Public health professionals can close the research-to-practice gap by disseminating existing evidence-based strategies to intended users but must overcome significant structural and organizational barriers. This work describes a step-by-step dissemination planning guide designed to aid public health practitioners in overcoming barriers to dissemination. The Disseminating for Action Planning Guide (DAPG) is based on the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center Dissemination Framework and includes four steps that map to framework components: (1) identifying the evidence-based strategy for dissemination, (2) identifying user organizations, (3) identifying disseminating organizations, and (4) developing a tailored strategy and messaging campaign. DAPG was piloted with Action Health Partners (AHP), a community-based, nonprofit organization in Wenatchee, WA. AHP focuses on building healthy communities through education, support services, and empowerment. To pilot the DAPG, AHP staff participated in coaching sessions and created a dissemination plan to improve community hypertension control. The resulting co-created intervention was a blood pressure monitor lending program embedded in the regional library system. Between October 2018 and December 2024, the blood pressure monitors were checked out 119 times from the library branches and Bookmobile. These outcomes indicate that DAPG is a promising tool for improving evidence dissemination, closing the research-to-practice gap, and improving the spread of evidence-based strategies in communities where they are most needed.