Creating a statewide standardized system for collecting statewide tobacco prevention and control program information and outcome data

Since 2002, as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement, Pennsylvania Department of Health has been implementing a statewide tobacco prevention and control program utilizing the Center for Disease Control framework for comprehensive tobacco control programs. Recently, statewide evaluators created a standardized reporting system to measure program progress and have identified key indicators to evaluate the potential program impact of reducing tobacco-related mortality, morbidity and related economic costs in Pennsylvania. This poster presentation will describe the steps taken to construct a system for collecting standardized process and outcomes data for a large, statewide public health program.

The steps taken to build a standardized evaluation include:

1. Logic model development; 2. Key indicator identification; 3. Creation of standardized minimum dataset; 4. Development of a systematic data collection plan; and 5. Data collection training, technical assistance and follow-up.

The overall goal of this standardized evaluation is to ensure that program benchmarks are being met and program successes and challenges are documented, that data can be used to inform program decision-making and that the overall impact of the program can be assessed.