Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114438

Lois M. Haggard, PhD and Shandra Burnett, MS. Office of Public Health Assessment, Utah Department of Health, Box 142101, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2101, 801-538-9455, loishaggard@utah.gov

Web-based data dissemination systems allow broad access to public health information and custom data queries. The capacity of the Internet to promote broad use of these data systems suggests they should have a large impact on public health decisions. But since users can access the information independently over the Internet, data providers lose intimacy with how the data are used, challenging the ability to evaluate system effectiveness. The utility of a logic model for evaluating web-based public health data dissemination systems is explored. A logic model describes the theoretical basis for expecting positive health outcomes to be derived from program activities, delineating a causal chain of events, including inputs, activities, outputs, that lead to desired program outcomes and impacts. Program inputs, activities and outputs are typically easy to measure. Identifying, articulating and measuring data system outcomes and impacts presents significant challenges to their evaluation. An important feature of a logic model is that it assists in identifying measurable outcomes and impacts that may be used to assess whether the system has succeeded in producing the desired health improvements. The logic model provides a useful framework for articulating program components that must be tracked to assess the program's effectiveness, and also assists in developing clarity, accountability and consensus around the project's short and long-term goals. A general logic model will be presented that may be applied or adapted for use in evaluating web-based public health data dissemination systems that aim to improve evidence-based public health decision making.

Learning Objectives:

• Audience members will learn how to apply a logic model methodology to the evaluation of a web-based public health data dissemination system.

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Data/Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation