Evaluation of a statewide partnership to integrate health promotion efforts

There is a growing call to integrate tobacco control and chronic disease efforts, especially as tobacco use and exposure greatly impact those with or at-risk for chronic diseases, deepening health disparities. To facilitate integration, Pennsylvania organized the BE A BRIDGE Partnership Project. During its first three years, the BE A BRIDGE statewide multi-disciplinary partnership aimed to use a collaborative approach to build capacity among a broad spectrum of organizations for the purpose of linking tobacco and chronic disease resources. BE A BRIDGE led initiatives to promote organizational capacity, interagency and individual collaboration, and policy change. A mixed-method evaluation was employed to assess whether BE A BRIDGE affected individual or organization change. Evaluative data on organizational capacity, individual skills, and collaboration was gathered through surveys, event observation, activity worksheets, website data and interviews. Surveys and assessments received over 1,370 responses, and 557 attendees came to 11 events. Attendees, representing 82% of Pennsylvania counties, reported making or renewing 1,483 contacts at summits, and 98% rated workshops as useful. Respondents reported that workshops helped them or their organizations meet specific aims, including objectives to collaborate, integrate tobacco and chronic disease, and address disparities. In addition, the regional discussion process that BE A BRIDGE employed led to a pilot project focused on cessation and diabetes management. BE A BRIDGE initiatives informed the development of interdisciplinary skills and integrated services to promote health, and eliminate disparities related to tobacco and chronic disease in a statewide program.