Scientific research reports

Ranging from identification of health problems to intervention evaluation summaries, these documents often provide actionable recommendations based on scientifically-derived findings.

Advice from authors on searching for information:

Topic-specific reports can often be found using the search box provided by the source.

Organizations, repositories, websites, and other sources where you can find more information:

Local

• Missouri DHSS Data, Surveillance Systems & Statistical Reports. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a Data, Surveillance Systems, and Statistical Reports site that offers a mix of formal reports, data, profiles, and other materials.

General

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . The CDC site offers a wide range of reports geared for a wide range of audiences. Reports can be reached by browsing through broad health categories or topic-specific searches. Two outlets offer periodic reporting on a variety of topics. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a source for timely information regarding public health information and recommendations. Publications include weekly reports, recommendations, surveillance summaries, supplements, notifiable infectious diseases and conditions, and notifiable noninfectious conditions and disease outbreaks. Each month, Vital Signs focuses on a specific health problem such as opioid prescribing, arthritis, zika, etc. While based on scientific research, reports are geared for use with the general public and include social media infographics, as well as what can be done to address the problem by federal government, states, healthcare providers, and the general public.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. A US non-profit offering data and information and topical reports in various health and health policy areas.
• Urban Institute. A non-partisan non-profit reporting and offering information on “the well-being of people and places in the United States” with various research reports from experts in many health and social policy areas.
• US Department of Health & Human Services. In addition to other helpful information, the “Think Cultural Health” initiative at the HHS has a repository of scientific research reports and fact sheets that serve as examples of translating science to influence policy.

Challenges you may encounter while searching for information:

Depending on the source, links to reports may be mixed with data sources and web pages without a downloadable product.

Articles, books, and other publications in translational science using the benefit:

• Brownson RC, Eyler AA, Harris JK, et al. Getting the word out: new approaches for disseminating public health science. J Public Health Manag Pract. Mar/Apr 2017; 24(2):102-111. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000673.
• Harris JK, Luke DA, Zuckerman RB, et al. Forty years of secondhand smoke research: The gap between discovery and delivery. Am J Prev Med. 2009; 36(6):538-548. doi:  10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.039.