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Evidence Synthesis to Inform NCD Prevention and Health Promotion

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Global Handbook on Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion

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Abstract

Making informed choices about the use of resources and the likely success of proposed NCD prevention and health promotion initiatives requires knowledge of what strategies have been previously evaluated. This information can be openly and curiously sought through the process of a systematic appraisal of the research evidence. This chapter provides a brief overview of the evidence synthesis process for those who are likely to draw upon evidence reviews to inform their practice. Subcomponents discussed include planning an evidence review, formulating answerable questions about health issues and inequalities, searching for relevant research, including evidence from nonhealth sectors, and appraising its strength and trustworthiness. An understanding of these processes, forming the basic steps of systematic review methodology, and the links between the steps provides a framework for those who need to engage with the evidence as part of an evidence-informed decision-making process.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia

    Tahna Pettman B.H.Sc., Ph.D., Rebecca Armstrong M.P.H., Ph.D., Belinda Burford B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., Jodie Doyle Grad. Dip. Health Prom., M.P.H. & Elizabeth Waters M.P.H., D.Phil.

  2. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 2838 Burnaby Park SE, Olympia, Washington, DC, 98501, USA

    Laurie Anderson M.P.H., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Tahna Pettman B.H.Sc., Ph.D.
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  2. Rebecca Armstrong M.P.H., Ph.D.
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  3. Belinda Burford B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D.
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  4. Jodie Doyle Grad. Dip. Health Prom., M.P.H.
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  5. Laurie Anderson M.P.H., Ph.D.
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  6. Elizabeth Waters M.P.H., D.Phil.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tahna Pettman B.H.Sc., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University, Midvale Court 2418, Atlanta, 30084, Georgia, USA

    David V. McQueen

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Pettman, T., Armstrong, R., Burford, B., Doyle, J., Anderson, L., Waters, E. (2013). Evidence Synthesis to Inform NCD Prevention and Health Promotion. In: McQueen, D. (eds) Global Handbook on Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7594-1_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7594-1_20

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