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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Renée Boothroyd, PhD, MPH, CHES¹, Johanna Birckmayer, PhD, MPH¹, and Harold Holder, PhD². (1) Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 11710 Beltsville Drive, Suite 125, Calverton, MD 20705-3102, 301-755-2740, rboothroyd@pire.org, (2) Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 450, Berkeley, CA 94704

“What are we trying to prevent?” Most prevention partners are grounded in a general response to this question – an ultimate end in mind. More often, from developing logic models in response to funding opportunities, we can provide details for how a particular, proposed program contributes, theoretically and structurally, to an overall set of anticipated outcomes. This kind of starting point – leading with a strategy - is critical for specifying an intervention's theory of change and explaining program evaluation; however, as a planning tool, it may be insufficient for outlining a thorough approach for achieving the degree of population-level change required by many public health challenges. By contrast, SAMHSA/CSAP-funded State Epidemiological Workgroups (SEW) are assisting State prevention systems with outcome-based thinking, a process that begins by assessing population-based, real-time problems using substance-related consequence and consumption data. Upon defining priority problems, States are examining the science behind factors contributing to those problems as well as research evidence that clarifies what strategies are effective at addressing them. Leading with ends versus means, such an approach aims to focus prevention on areas of need, strategies that are relevant to dimensions of an actual problem, and a system for data monitoring, reflection, and adjustments to enhance prevention investments and practice over time. This session (a) describes SAMHSA/CSAP-sponsored SEWs, (b) outlines States' use of epidemiological and research data to define priority problems, understand and measure causal factors, and select intervention strategies, and (c) examines emergent lessons as States build community capacities to engage in this process.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to

• Describe the work of State Epidemiological Workgroups to use substance-related consequence and consumption data to identify priority problems;
• Examine the science behind a causal model for substance abuse prevention; and
• Explore State/community planning efforts and the process of building capacities for implementing outcome-based prevention planning.

Keywords: Data/Surveillance, Decision-Making

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation