New Institute of Medicine Report Calls for Cohesive National Strategy to Measure the Public’s Health
A new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)-commissioned Institute of Medicine (IOM) report reinforces the urgency to address health not just in the doctor’s office but where it starts—in our homes, schools, jobs and communities. The report, For the Public’s Health: The Role of Measurement in Action and Accountability, argues that one reason Americans live shorter, sicker lives than people in many other countries is this country’s lack of national coordination when it comes to gathering, analyzing and communicating health information that focuses on the underlying factors that contribute to poor health. The report’s authors review current approaches to measuring the public’s health and make seven specific recommendations for a roadmap to improvement.