Evaluation of public health demonstration programs: the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of WISEWOMAN.
BACKGROUND
In today's healthcare environment, public health resources are scarce. Thus, interventions to improve the public's health must be rigorously evaluated to ensure that they make the best use of available resources.


METHODS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a general framework for program evaluation. This paper presents additional details on several key evaluation areas within CDC's framework.


RESULTS
Successful evaluations will be built into the program design; will be multifaceted, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods; will assess both process and outcome measures; and will engage stakeholders to ensure utility of results.


CONCLUSIONS
Well-planned evaluations can lead to less burdensome yet more effective assessment and better program performance and can increase the knowledge base for health promotion practice.
Finkelstein
Eric A
EA
RTI International, Health, Social and Economics Research, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. finkelse@rti.org
Wittenborn
John S
JS
Farris
Rosanne P
RP
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health