A framework for assessing the effectiveness of antihunger advocacy organizations.
Food insufficiency is a major public health problem that has been linked to poor nutritional intake, poor diabetes management, poor cognitive development in children, and other adverse health outcomes. Since the 1960s, antihunger advocacy organizations (AHAOs) have fought to alleviate hunger at the local, state, and federal levels. Few studies have investigated the organizational structure, programs, advocacy activities, and outcomes of these organizations, although many organizations have been instrumental in advocating for state and federal food policy, creating measurements for hunger, and conducting research. Four state-level AHAOs were studied by using multiple case study methodology and grounded theory for analysis to assess organizational effectiveness. The findings highlight a conceptual framework that identified 19 important organizational characteristics that reflect organizational capacity, performance, achievement, and effectiveness. The conceptual framework may be useful in assessing effectiveness of public health organizations and coalitions.
Laraia
Barbara A
BA
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Carolina Population Center, CB 8120, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599, USA. blaraia@email.unc.edu
Dodds
Janice
J
Eng
Eugenia
E
D006265:Health Care Coalitions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States