A dissemination research agenda to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention

The question of how to enhance the dissemination of knowledge and the use of innovations related to disease prevention and health promotion was posed to an international group of experts at an invitational research conference held in Vancouver, British Columbia in March 1995. The Canadian Conference on Dissemination Research Strengthening Health Promotion and Disease Prevention was co-sponsored by 15 voluntary organizations, government agencies and industries. It examined advances and gaps in the study of diffusion and adoption of preventive knowledge and practices among health professionals and the public. It was the first national conference of its kind devoted to dissemination research and dissemination of research specifically in health promotion and disease prevention. This paper summarizes the major issues raised in the papers presented at this conference. Policies and strategies for strengthening dissemination research and the dissemination of health promotion knowledge and practices are suggested.