Moving Evidence-Based Interventions Into Practice

Health-related research is big business in the United States, as well as globally. The vast majority of research funding is focused on breakthroughs- finding the next cutting-edge intervention or practice. Yet this investment in breakthroughs doesn’t automatically or easily translate into improved health.

It takes about 17 years for an estimated 14% of original research to have a utilization rate of at least 50%1

What does this mean in practical terms? It means that it takes a rather long time for a small sliver of research to be partially implemented in practice. To truly transform and improve health, we have to get better at following through on the promise of exciting discoveries and breakthroughs. Implementation science focuses on these follow-throughs so that the promise of breakthroughs can be realized.