Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs

Understanding and applying the elements of program evaluation is a powerful force for planning effective public health strategies, improving existing programs, and demonstrating the results of resource investments. Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs is an essential resource that offers students and professionals in public health and public health policy a comprehensive and practical introduction to the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs and health policy. Written by Muriel J. Harrisan expert in public healththe book presents an approach built on the two primary evaluation frameworks that are currently used successfully. These are The Donaldson three-step program-theory driven evaluation model and CDCs six-step Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health. In Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs, the author emphasizes practical, ongoing evaluation strategies that involve all program stakeholders, not just evaluation experts and presents a simple and effective standards-based four-step model that will produce rich and useful results. The book contains a wealth of resourcesscenarios, worksheets, and guidelinesthat can be used throughout the planning, implementation, and evaluation process. In addition, each chapter includes a list of key ideas, important terms for review, as well as summaries and questions that can reinforce each chapters lessons.

About the Author

MURIEL J. HARRIS, PHD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville.