Awareness of the Academic Health Department Model Among Local Health Department Staff: Differences by PHAB Accreditation Status

CONTEXT: The Academic Health Department (AHD) model emphasizes academic-practice partnerships between academia and public health agencies. Through these partnerships, mutual benefits are pursued through public health research, service, and training. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), the national accrediting body for health departments in the United States, addresses collaborations and partnerships, including those with academic institutions, within its standards and measures. OBJECTIVES: This study examined differences in AHD awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited local health department (LHD) staff. DESIGN: A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted. SETTING: The survey was administered to local health department staff in Kentucky during Spring 2024. PARTICIPANTS: Staff from Kentucky local health departments (N = 148). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Differences in AHD model awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited LHD staff. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in 4 measures of AHD awareness between PHAB-accredited and non-PHAB-accredited LHD staff: (1) AHD model awareness (P < .001), (2) perceived awareness compared with other LHD staff (P = .01), (3) awareness of AHD model benefits (P < .01), and (4) awareness of academic institutions promoting the AHD model (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that PHAB accreditation may promote awareness of the AHD model, its benefits, and academic-practice partnerships among LHD staff.