Building capacity for heart health promotion: results of a 5-year experience in Nova Scotia, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To present the outcomes of a capacity-building initiative for heart health promotion.


METHODS
Follow-up study combining quantitative and qualitative methods.


METHODS
The Western Health Region of Nova Scotia, Canada.


METHODS
Twenty organizations, including provincial and municipal agencies and community groups engaged in health, education, and recreation activities.


METHODS
Two strategies were used for this study: partnership development and organizational development. Partnership development included the creation of multilevel partnerships in diverse sectors. Organizational development included the provision of technical support, action research, community activation, and organizational consultation.


METHODS
Quantitative data included number and type of partnerships, learning opportunities, community activation initiatives, and organizational changes. Qualitative data included information on the effectiveness of partnerships, organizational consultation, and organizational changes.


RESULTS
Results included the development of 204 intersectoral partnerships, creation of a health promotion clearinghouse, 47 workshops attended by approximately 1400 participants, diverse research products, implementation of 18 community heart health promotion initiatives, and increased organizational capacity for heart health promotion via varied organizational changes, including policy changes, fund reallocations, and enhanced knowledge and practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Partnership and organizational development were effective mechanisms for building capacity in heart health promotion. This intervention may have implications for large-scale, community-based, chronic-disease prevention projects.
MacLean
David R
DR
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4H7 Canada.
Farquharson
Jane
J
Heath
Stephanie
S
Barkhouse
Kari
K
Latter
Celeste
C
Joffres
Christine
C
D003256:Community Participation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004493:Education; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009674:Nova Scotia; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*