216420 Linking efforts with outcomes: The Strength of Community Health Programming Index

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Sarah C. Shelton, MPH, CHES , Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Amy A. Sorg, MPH , Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Matthew Kuhlenbeck, MHA , Missouri Foundation for Health, Saint Louis, MO
Bobbi J. Carothers, PhD , Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Stephanie Herbers, MPH, MSW , Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Douglas A. Luke, PhD , Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
An ongoing challenge with complex public health initiatives is the ability to link efforts to health outcomes. As part of our evaluation of the Missouri Foundation for Health's multi-site, multi-program Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative (TPCI), we created the Strength of Community Health Programming Index (SCHPI). The Index, comprised of three constructs (depth, breadth and quality), serves as a tool to monitor the intensity of TPCI programming at the county level and to link these efforts to each county's observed tobacco-related outcomes. The Index also serves as an important planning tool. By summarizing programming within communities one can identify gaps or over-saturation in activities and be more strategic with program funding. The process used to create SCHPI can be adapted to other community health interventions and a range of geographic boundaries. In this session, we will describe the process taken to create and validate SCHPI, how the index is currently used, and recommendations for use in other areas of public health.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the constructs that constitute the Strength of Community Health Programming Index 2. Explain how the Strength of Community Health Programming Index can be used to inform community health planning, policy development and evaluation

Keywords: Data/Surveillance, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold a Masters of Public Health and am a Certified Health Education Specialist. I oversee the evaluation of several public health initiatives, which includes evaluation planning, data collection, data analysis, and evaluation reporting. I also conduct research in the area of tobacco control programs and policies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4233.0: Planning for the Future: Data, Research, Policy and Politics Affecting Community Health