What types of organizations should participate in public health PBRNs?
Local and state governmental public health agencies must be core members of public health PBRNs, since these organizations have primary responsibility for delivering public health services within their jurisdictions. Each PBRN also needs to engage an academic/research institution that can provide expertise in research design and analytical methods. Schools of public health or other academic/research institutions may fill this role. In some cases, public health agencies may wish to include key community partners in their research networks, particularly in settings where these partners play important roles in delivering public health services.
