• Bridging Accreditation, Planni...

*Result*: Bridging Accreditation, Planning, and Evaluation: An Alignment Analysis of PHAB, MAPP, and Pennel.

Title:
Bridging Accreditation, Planning, and Evaluation: An Alignment Analysis of PHAB, MAPP, and Pennel.
Authors:
Firchow BA; Author Affiliations : Department of Family Medicine, Rural Physician Leadership Program, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Morehead, Kentucky (Firchow); Department of Family Medicine, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky (Boroughs); Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (Boroughs); Biomedical Sciences Program, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky (Howard); and Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Melahn)., Boroughs K, Howard JA, Melahn MC
Source:
Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP [J Public Health Manag Pract] 2026 Jan-Feb 01; Vol. 32 (1), pp. 144-149. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Nov 18.
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9505213 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1550-5022 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10784659 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Public Health Manag Pract Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: 2003- : Hagerstown, MD : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Original Publication: Frederick, MD : Aspen Publishers, c1995-
MeSH Terms:
Accreditation*/methods , Accreditation*/standards , Accreditation*/trends , Public Health*/methods , Public Health*/standards , Public Health*/trends , Program Evaluation*/methods , Program Evaluation*/standards, Humans ; United States
References:
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Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: CHA/CHIP; MAPP; PHAB; accreditation; community health planning; evaluation; needs assessment; public health systems
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251119 Date Completed: 20251119 Latest Revision: 20251120
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1097/PHH.0000000000002257
PMID:
41260593
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Objective: This analysis examines the alignment of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) standards, the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) model, and the Pennel evaluation tool. Despite the growing use of Community Health Assessments (CHAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), variation in quality and evaluation persists. The analysis identifies convergence, divergence, and integration opportunities to inform more cohesive and sustainable public health improvement strategies.
Design: An alignment analysis was conducted through a document review of the PHAB Standards (v2022, initial accreditation), the MAPP model, and the 17-item Pennel evaluation tool. A structured matrix categorized alignment as full, partial, or absent, supported by thematic coding and expert validation for consistency and reliability.
Setting: The present analysis focuses on the approaches used by US local health departments conducting CHA/CHIP development and accreditation activities.
Participants: The unit of analysis was not individuals but rather the core components of each approach as articulated in public documentation, handbooks, and peer-reviewed sources.
Main Outcome Measures: Alignment was evaluated across three themes: Community Engagement & Governance, Data and Health Equity, and Strategy Development & Implementation.
Results: The analysis revealed strong alignment across the approaches in stakeholder engagement, data-informed decision-making, and goal setting. Divergence was observed in implementation specificity and sustainability planning. PHAB emphasized compliance documentation; MAPP prioritized participatory planning; and the Pennel tool provided guidance on evaluation and accountability.
Conclusions: A complementary approach that integrates the evaluative rigor of the Pennel tool, the procedural depth of MAPP, and the accountability of PHAB could foster a more equitable, responsive, and sustainable public health improvement. Findings underscore the need for public health agencies to support this integration by developing implementation guidance, training, and resources for evaluation. This integration has the potential to bridge accreditation compliance and meaningful health outcomes, advancing toward Public Health 3.0.
(Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)*

*The authors declare no conflicts of interest.*