Bridging the gap between scientists and decision makers
- 1Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, AL no 6701A, 120 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1B4, Canada; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto; and Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
- 2National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
- 3Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto; and Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Canada
- Correspondence to: Dr B C K Choi; BernardChoihc-sc.gc.ca
As public health professionals, we recognise a gap between scientists and decision makers. Firstly, communication is a problem. Scientists and decision makers do not use the same language. Because decision makers are usually not current in complex analytical approaches, study results must be put forth in a compelling manner—for example, through visually interesting presentations that accurately and effectively summarise complex analyses.
Secondly, time is a problem. Decision makers seldom have time to read …
