Related Experiment Videos
Implementation of a cancer prevention program for working class, multiethnic populations
Rebecca Lobb1, Elizabeth Gonzalez Suarez, Martha E Fay
1Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Rebeca_hannigan@hphc.org
Preventive Medicine
|June 15, 2004
Summary
The Healthy Directions-Health Centers intervention successfully engaged participants in cancer prevention activities. Process evaluation results explain implementation variations, crucial for public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- The Healthy Directions-Health Centers intervention targets social contextual factors in cancer prevention.
- It is designed for working-class, multi-ethnic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the implementation of the Healthy Directions-Health Centers intervention.
- To identify participant characteristics associated with completing intervention activities.
Main Methods:
- Ten community health centers were randomized into intervention or control groups.
- Participants from low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhoods were enrolled.
- Intervention included clinician endorsement, counseling sessions, and tailored materials focusing on diet and physical activity.
Main Results:
- 90% of 1,088 intervention participants completed at least five of six activities.
- Missed clinical appointments were linked to lower completion rates.
- Low acculturation did not impede intervention delivery post-enrollment.
Conclusions:
- Process evaluation data are vital for understanding and explaining variations in intervention implementation.
- This highlights the importance of monitoring program delivery for effectiveness.