Megan Heffernan
Pronouns: She/Her
Megan is a qualitative and mixed methods researcher who focuses on program evaluation and developing mapping tools that provide data to local decision-makers.
Megan conducts research and evaluation in the areas of substance use, rural health, and public health infrastructure, among other public health topics.
Megan has led the development of several mapping tools, including the Rural Health Mapping Tool and the Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool. In this role, she helps translate data in a way that is accessible for local leaders. She has also contributed to several program evaluations focused on the capacity and performance of the U.S. governmental public health system. These efforts include, for example, evaluating the national, voluntary accreditation program for public health departments; providing evaluation support for federal investments related to public health infrastructure and performance; and evaluating CDC’s adult immunization efforts.
Megan is a frequent reviewer and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP). She has authored several articles published in JPHMP focused on the governmental public health system.
Quick Links
Education
MPH
Boston University
BS
Georgetown University
Appointments & Affiliations
Member of Editorial Board
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP)
Project Contributions
Publications
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opens in new tab"Benefits and impacts of public health accreditation for small local health departments"
Journal Article | May 1, 2023
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“Home Fire Risk Map Evaluation Findings”
Project Report | December 1, 2022
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Rural Health Mapping Tool
Map | November 1, 2022
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opens in new tabHow do we define and measure Health Equity? The state of current practice and tools to Advance Health Equity.
Journal Article | September 1, 2022
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“Case Study: Home Fire Prevention Program — Kanakakee, Illinois”
Project Report | March 1, 2022
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opens in new tab"Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicators and Overall Health and Well-being Measures: Opportunities to Assess and Improve the Health and Well-being of the Nation."
Journal Article | November 17, 2021
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opens in new tab"Developing State Health Improvement Plans: Exploring States' Use of Healthy People."
Journal Article | November 16, 2021
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New Data Visualization Tool Enables In-Depth, County-by-County Look at Impact of Opioid Epidemic in Appalachian Region
Press Release | March 20, 2018