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Investigating the association between public health system structure and system effectiveness

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dc.contributor.authorOrr, Jason, author
dc.contributor.authorGolicic, Susan, advisor
dc.contributor.authorBradley, Thomas, committee member
dc.contributor.authorMiller, Erika, committee member
dc.contributor.authorGutilla, Molly, committee member
dc.contributor.authorMagzamen, Sheryl, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-09T20:52:15Z
dc.date.available2026-08-16
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractPublic health systems in the United States face significant challenges due to their complexity and variability. This dissertation follows a three-paper format and examines these systems through a comprehensive analysis, using systems approaches, latent transition analysis (LTA), and ordinal regression to uncover patterns and inform improvements in public health governance and service delivery. The first essay (Chapter 2) explores the application of systems approaches to the design and improvement of public health systems. A scoping review was conducted, revealing a paucity of literature on the use of "hard" systems methodologies like systems analysis and engineering in public health. The findings highlight the potential for systems approaches to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of public health services. However, the limited engagement by public health practitioners and the lack of depth in existing literature indicate significant gaps that need to be addressed to fully leverage systems science in public health governance and service delivery. Building on the literature review, the second essay (Chapter 3) introduces a novel typology of local health departments (LHDs) using LTA based on the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Profile study data. The LTA identified six distinct latent statuses of LHDs, characterized by variables such as governance centrality, colocation, and integration. This typology provides a robust framework for understanding the structural and operational diversity of LHDs, offering insights into how these factors influence public health outcomes. The final essay (Chapter 4) applies ordinal regression analyses to explore the relationship between the latent statuses of LHDs and various community health outcomes. Initial analyses using a cumulative logit model indicated a violation of the proportional odds assumption, necessitating a shift to a generalized logit model. This approach revealed significant predictors of latent statuses, such as poor physical health days, preventable hospital stays, and life expectancy. The findings underscore the complexity of public health systems and the need for careful selection of statistical models to accurately capture these dynamics. The study provides actionable insights for public health policy and strategic planning, highlighting areas for future research and potential interventions to optimize public health system design and operations. This dissertation underscores the importance of systems approaches in understanding and improving public health systems. By leveraging advanced statistical models and exploring the structural characteristics of LHDs, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing public health governance and service delivery. The findings offer a foundation for future research and policy development aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public health systems to better serve communities.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierOrr_colostate_0053A_18554.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/239292
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.accessEmbargo expires: 08/16/2026.
dc.subjectlatent transition analysis
dc.subjectservice delivery
dc.subjectsystems engineering
dc.subjectpublic health systems
dc.subjectgovernance
dc.subjectsystem taxonomy
dc.titleInvestigating the association between public health system structure and system effectiveness
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2026-08-16
dcterms.embargo.terms2026-08-16
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineSystems Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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