Translating data to action is essential for making a measurable difference in the health and well-being of women, children and families. Increasing the data use skills of public health organizations and leaders is crucial to meeting this challenge.
The DaTA Institute model promotes the translation of data to action. The three points of the triangle represent the three core domains of effective data use.
- Data: Data analysis skills are essential for ensuring accurate baseline and outcome measures.
- Program: Planning, monitoring and evaluating skills are essential for creating/monitoring effective programs.
- Policy: Decision making and data strategy skills are necessary for creating evidence-based policy.
Public health practitioners working in all three corners of the triangle need leadership, systems thinking and communication skills to be effective translators. In maternal and child health, effective translation of data cannot happen without incorporating public health values such as cultural competence, social justice and prevention.
- Increase individual and team knowledge, skills and attitudes on how to use data effectively.
- Develop an MCH leadership team to influence how the organization(s) use(s) data.
- Use data to influence policy and program decision making and strengthen MCH practice within public health organizations.
Specifically, throughout the training, teams gain data use skills in the following competency areas:
- Scientific Thinking
- Informatics
- Planning and Needs Assessment
- Data Politics/Data Strategy
- Program and Outcome Monitoring
- Political Strategy
- Data Methods
- Assessment Strategy
- Decision Making
