Results from the National Evaluation Consortium on Living Well with a Disability

Multi-state pretest and post-test data were compiled and analyzed to build upon the current literature supporting the efficacy of the health promotion program, Living Well with a Disability. Because Living Well is a didactic program that meets in small groups of 10 to 12 participants, the National Evaluation Consortium was developed to collect program evaluation data from multiple states thus increasing the power of analysis. Standardized data collected from 5 states (Montana, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and South Dakota) between 2001 and 2006 was collated and comparatively analyzed. A total of 176 participants completed evaluation instruments from 3 points in time: 1) before the program begins, 2) right after the program ends, and 3) 3 months after the program ends. Items on the instrument measure the following specific health outcomes: utilization of health care, general physical health, social and emotional health, and incidence of secondary conditions. Discussion of the results will include an investigation of the variance of efficacy in subpopulations and a comparison to previous evaluation research on Living Well.