244269 Sharing the paradigm shift: Evaluating policy, systems and environmental change strategies

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 9:10 AM

Ann Ussery-Hall, MPH , Achieve, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Atlanta, GA
Jennie Hefelfinger, MS , Achieve, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Atlanta, GA
Alice Patty, MSH , ACHIEVE Project, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Atlanta, GA
Jaclyn King, MPH , ACHIEVE Program, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Atlanta, GA
As public health has seen a shift to more upstream approaches in recent years (e.g., focusing on built environments that encourage physical activity; providing healthy options at food venues to support improved nutrition; implementing tobacco-free policies that protect clean air and reduce second hand smoke), evaluation strategies must also change. This presentation will provide examples of evaluation approaches that are appropriate for evaluating community health planning, policy, and advocacy efforts, and explain why more familiar approaches to program evaluation (e.g., pre-/post-tests to measure changes in knowledge or skills) are not always applicable. The presentation will walk participants through traditional program evaluations and suggest comparisons to appropriate evaluation of community health planning, policy, and advocacy efforts. The comparison will include descriptions of policy-relevant evaluation questions and logic models (including inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes), indicators, and data sources. Ideas for methods, mediums, and possible audiences for sharing and disseminating lessons learned and results will also be included. Evaluation examples from communities funded through Action Communities for Health, Innovation and Environmental ChangE (ACHIEVE) will be shared, including evaluation strategies, methods, and stakeholder involvement opportunities. From the perspective of a national partner with state and local collaborations, examples will also address evaluation at all levels. The presentation will also include example tools and data collection instruments to assist communities with evaluation of these upstream approaches. As the paradigm shifts to create policies that lead to healthier environments and opportunities for all, evaluation planning and practices must also shift.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe evaluation needs for policy, systems and environmental change strategies. Explain differences between objectives for policy, systems and environmental change strategies those for standard program evaluation approaches. Identify appropriate indicators and data sources for policy change.

Keywords: Evaluation, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead evaluator for NACDD's ACHIEVE initiative.
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.