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Evaluation of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs offers conceptual and methodological frameworks for the six phases of health program evaluation: · introduction to evaluation · models of evaluation planning · efficacy and effectiveness evaluation · measurement and analysis evaluation · process and qualitative evaluation · cost analysis and basic economic evaluation By presenting these concepts through case studies, this text offers an innovative and didactic model for measuring health impact and health outcomes, then extending these measurements to establish an evidence base for future practice. This central competency in health promotion will be of use to graduate and post-graduate students in public and population health programs, plus health program practitioners working at the intervention forefront.

This is a comprehensive guide to the frameworks, theories, and methods used to evaluate health promotion programs. The book builds on the author's experience in evaluating health communication projects in the US and developing countries and in teaching evaluation to graduate-level students in public health. It will be useful both to students and to researchers and practitioners involved in all types of evaluation activities. The chapters are divided into three sections. Part I covers health promotion frameworks and theories, formative research, and process evaluation methods. Part II deals with study designs, the techniques to determine sample selection and size, writing questionnaires, constructing scales, and managing data. Part III uses data from a national campaign to illustrate methods for impact evaluation including basic and advanced statistical analysis. This text provides the tools needed to understand how and why evaluations are conducted, and it will serve as a reference for evaluators. It covers every aspect of the research and evaluation activities needed to assess a health promotion program.

What are the goals of health promotion and the most apropriate means of achieving them? The prevailing view is that these goals are to prolong life and reduce mortality rates. Since the leading causes of morbidity and mortality are now largely attributable to lifestyle behaviors--smoking, diet, exercise, etc.--the means of achieving reductions in heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes and other chronic conditins are to identify more effective techniques for changing people's behavior. Virtually all health promotion research is currently directed towards accomplishing this objective. But at what cost? As researchers strive for more effective ways to change people's behavior, what are the implications for individual autonomy, integrity, and responsibility? Buchanan sets out to explain why a science of health promotion is neither imminent or estimable. He argues that health promotin is inescapably a moral and political endeavor and that goals more befitting the realization of human well-being are to promote self-knowledge, individual autonomy, integrity, and responsibility through putting into practice more democratic processes of self-direction and mutual support in civil society.

Chronic diseases and premature death can often be linked to social, environmental, and behavioral factors that are subject to modification, especially during adolescence when many habits--both good and bad--are formed. In order to effectively encourage good health-related behaviors among adolescents, health providers need an integrated understanding of the many factors involved. This volume fills that need by providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date review of the pertinent issues, including in-depth discussions on adolescent sexuality, substance abuse, the future of adolescent health promotion, and the relationship between socioeconomic status and health-related behaviors. The outstanding group of contributors represents a wide variety of disciplines and offers proven techniques and approaches that can help future adults enjoy longer, safer, more productive lives. With an emphasis on practical solutions, Promoting the Health of Adolescents will be of value to health and social scientists, health care providers, educators, and administrators who plan and implement programs for adolescent health.