The use of population health and health promotion research by health regions in Canada

This study examined the use of population health and health promotion (PH&HP) research by health regions in Canada. An 11-item survey was fared to 137 (of 140) health regions. Eighty-three completed questionnaires were returned (60.8%). Results indicate that: while research, in general, plays more than a moderate role in the majority of participating health regions, PH&HP research is not used frequently. The most frequent uses of PH&HP research include the development of health goals and objectives, the development of programs and services, and resource allocation. Health regions most frequently obtain PH&HP research from their own staff and from government departments. University-based researchers are not a commonly used source. This study provides a descriptive overview of health regions' engagement in evidence-based decision making related to PH&HP issues, and points to a number of strategies chat both health regions and researchers can employ to enhance the use of PH&HP research by health regions.