Abstract
Background
: In today's healthcare environment, public health resources are scarce. Thus, interventions to improve the public's health must be rigorously evaluated to ensure that they make the best use of available resources.
Methods
: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a general framework for program evaluation. This paper presents additional details on several key evaluation areas within CDC's framework.
Results
: Successful evaluations will be built into the program design; will be multifaceted, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods; will assess both process and outcome measures; and will engage stakeholders to ensure utility of results.
Conclusions
: Well-planned evaluations can lead to less burdensome yet more effective assessment and better program performance and can increase the knowledge base for health promotion practice.
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