POPULATION HEALTH OUTCOMES & THE IMPORTANCE OF STRUCTURED DATA FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

<strong>Introduction</strong>: Population Health Outcomes (PHOs) collected between accreditation cycles have shown limited impact in demonstrating Health Department (HD) accreditation outcomes. Due to HDs' dissatisfaction and the extensive time required for reporting, the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is considering changes. This study explores the challenges and potential improvements through interviews with PHAB staff. <strong>Methods</strong>: Thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with five key informants from PHAB&rsquo;s Accreditation &amp; Recognition and Research &amp; Product Development teams. Informants provided insights on strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement, including equity integration. A coding tool was used to analyze responses. <strong>Results</strong>: 42% of codes suggested improvements, with "Storytelling" as the most common theme. 30% of codes addressed challenges, while only 8% highlighted positive aspects. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Revising the PHOs reporting process could make data more intuitive and better demonstrate the impact of accreditation. &nbsp;