 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Manal J. Aboelata, MPH, Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 650, Los Angeles, CA 90095, 310.794.0377, aboelata@sbcglobal.net and Leslie Mikkelsen, MPH, RD, Prevention Institute, 265 29th Street, Oakland, CA 94611.
Health practitioners, whether in the community, local, state or federal government, are increasingly required to work across disciplines, ground their efforts in research and demonstrate program impact and effectiveness. The purpose of this presentation is to report findings from a recent qualitative study of applications of the Spectrum of Prevention, a framework designed to promote systematic efforts in primary prevention, to local and national initiatives aimed at improving health. Eighteen health professionals from across the nation participated in the in-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews. The interviews were conducted to learn why this sample of health practitioners has used the Spectrum and how it has impacted their work. Interview transcripts were analyzed for key themes and innovative applications that we will share with session participants. This formative research indicates that practitioners have utilized the Spectrum in a multitude of settings to contextualize complex health issues and delineate stakeholder roles in prevention. The Spectrum has also been used as a practical tool, assisting practitioners to operationalize program goals and objectives by illustrating key areas for planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation. Based on our analysis, the Spectrum has provided practitioners with a useful framework for involving key stakeholders, developing multi-level approaches that go beyond health education, and conducting systematic evaluation--essential strategies to advancing the health of their communities. For study participants, the Spectrum of Prevention represents one important and useful model for achieving improved health and community outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Prevention, Planning
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.