ESSAY
The L.E.A.D. Framework: Using Tools From Evidence-Based Public Health to Address Evidence Needs for Obesity Prevention
The figure has a diamond-shaped outer frame. Two sides are labeled “Systems perspective”; the other 2, “Opportunities to generate evidence.” Inside the diamond is a column of boxes that describe each element in the L.E.A.D. process. At the top is a circle that reads, “Specify questions.” The four boxes read as follows: “Locate Evidence: Identify and gather the types of evidence that are potentially relevant to the questions; Evaluate Evidence: Apply standards of quality as relevant to different types of evidence; Assemble Evidence: Select and summarize evidence according to considerations for its use; Inform Decisions: Use evidence in the decision-making process.”
Figure 1. The IOM L.E.A.D. Framework to Inform Decision Making About Obesity Prevention. Adapted from the Institute of Medicine (2).
The figure depicts a circle containing 3 questions connected by arrows. The circle is titled “Decisions.” The questions are “WHY should we do something about this problem in our situation?”; WHAT specifically should we do about this problem?”; and “HOW do we implement this information for our situation?”
Figure 2. Questions that guide the gathering of evidence. Adapted from the Institute of Medicine (2).