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

Ron DePrez' study traces the evolution of Population Health Assessments
Ron DePrez' study traces the evolution of Population Health Assessments

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.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.