Evaluating Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Interventions: Lessons Learned From CDC's Prevention Research
Sally Honeycutt1, Jennifer Leeman2, William J McCarthy3
1Emory Prevention Research Center, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Preventing Chronic Disease
|October 16, 2015
Summary
Public health initiatives aim to create supportive policies, systems, and environments (PSEs) for healthy behaviors. Evaluating these PSE-change programs using the CDC
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Behavior Research
- Program Evaluation
Background:
- Public health initiatives increasingly focus on modifying policies, systems, and environments (PSEs) to promote healthy behaviors.
- Evidence for the effectiveness of many PSE-change strategies is still developing.
- Systematic evaluation is crucial for understanding and improving these public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe evaluations of PSE-change programs conducted using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Framework for Program Evaluation.
- To share lessons learned from applying the CDC's evaluation framework to PSE-change initiatives.
- To assist future evaluators in designing effective evaluations for PSE-change programs.
Main Methods:
- Seven Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) utilized the CDC's Framework for Program Evaluation to assess their PSE-change initiatives.
- The evaluation process involved engaging stakeholders, describing the program, focusing the evaluation design, gathering evidence, justifying conclusions, and ensuring use and dissemination of lessons learned.
- Mixed-methods approaches were employed, often including logic models, process, and outcome evaluations.
Main Results:
- Stakeholders in the evaluations spanned diverse sectors, including public health departments, partner organizations, and community members.
- Evaluations primarily focused on contextual factors influencing change and the implementation of PSE-change strategies.
- Lessons learned were disseminated through various channels to reach both local and broader public health audiences.
Conclusions:
- The CDC's Framework for Program Evaluation is a practical and applicable tool for evaluating PSE-change initiatives.
- Utilizing this framework strengthens the evidence base for strategies aimed at promoting healthier behaviors.
- This systematic approach contributes to the growing body of practice-based evidence in public health.
