title: Evaluating a statewide partnership for reducing risks for chronic diseases.
abstract: We describe a case study evaluation of Kansas LEAN, a statewide partnership with the mission of reducing risks for chronic diseases through dietary and exercise modification. We used a case study design to examine five primary questions related to process and outcome: (a) were the goals of the partnership important to constituents? (process), (b) were constituents satisfied with the partnership (process), (c) were community or systems changes (new or modified programs, policies, or practices) facilitated by partnership efforts (outcome)?, (d) were these changes important to the partnership's mission (outcome)?, and (e) what critical events helped facilitate community changes (outcome)? several measurement instruments--a monitoring and feedback system, constituent surveys, and semistructured interviews--were used to address key evaluation questions. Kansas LEAN is a strong statewide partnership with involvement from key representatives throughout Kansas. It is an ongoing, comprehensive health promotion program that plans and implements multiple components, in a variety of settings, to create awareness, behavior change, and a supportive environment. Kansas LEAN has facilitated several important community or systems changes related to its mission. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges of evaluating partnerships that seek to reduce risks for chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paine-Andrews
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: V T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003256:Community Participation; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D019649:Food Industry; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007615:Kansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States