Explain how evidence-based practice is important to health outcomes

Medicine, health promotion, and other acts of public health should be based on evidence. In all cases, evidence is defined as some form of data used to make judgments and decisions. Data exist in various forms. A key to evidence-based practice is to use the best available data, recognizing that the most ideal information may not be available. Waiting for the perfect data before acting would be poor practice. Experimental evidence can take years to develop, and often, practitioners must take action earlier. Epidemiologic data about a health issue often exist. The availability of this type of evidence suggests that something should be done. It is this type of information that draws attention to a needed action. For example, the understanding of autism spectrum disorder is at this level of evidence. Ideally, information about how and under what conditions interventions work to improve health also is available to guide practice. This best type of data may not be available when working in emerging fields or with specific populations. Observation and theory are important elements in evidence-based practice.?