Associations Between Cross-Sector Partnerships and Local Health Department Participation in Population-Based Activities to Prevent Mental Health Conditions

Abstract

Objectives. To describe partnerships between US local health departments (LHDs) and community organizations and assess the relationship between the types of activities performed in these partnerships and LHD engagement in population-based activities to prevent mental health conditions. Methods. Data were derived from 457 LHDs that responded to module 1 of the 2016 Profile Study conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. These data were used to assess the presence of partnerships with community organizations and examine associations between the types of activities performed in such partnerships and LHDs’ participation in population-based activities to prevent mental health conditions. Results. LHDs had higher odds of participating in population-based activities to prevent mental health conditions if they shared personnel or resources or had written agreements with mental health or substance use disorder providers, held regularly scheduled meetings with hospitals, or shared personnel or resources with community health centers. Odds were reduced if they exchanged information with community health centers or shared personnel or resources with faith-based organizations. Conclusions. This study offers an improved understanding of how the types of activities performed in cross-sector partnerships affect LHDs’ participation in population-based activities to prevent mental health conditions, which is important as public policies, programs, and funding initiatives continue to encourage cross-sector partnership building.