A conceptual model of community capacity development for health promotion in the Alberta Heart Health Project.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to derive a conceptual model of community capacity development for health promotion based on the 5-year demonstration phase of the Alberta Heart Health Project.


METHODS
Community actions associated with successful implementation and uptake of initiatives in four diverse target sites were identified by case study evaluation.


RESULTS
Thirteen common elements of capacity development were found across the projects and categorized to define three primary dimensions of the process: (a) leadership that provided a driving force for implementation, (b) policy making that ensured diffusion and sustainability, and (c) use of local community resources and infrastructure. A conceptual model was constructed using these 3 dimensions and their interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective implementation of community health initiatives to promote heart health can be conceptualized as the involvement of local leadership, policy advocacy, and enhancement of existing infrastructure. The model highlights building these dimensions of community capacity development for health promotion.
Dressendorfer
Rudolph H
RH
Centre for Health Promotion Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Raine
Kim
K
Dyck
Ronald J
RJ
Plotnikoff
Ronald C
RC
Collins-Nakai
Ruth L
RL
McLaughlin
W Keith
WK
Ness
Kathleen
K
D000416:Alberta; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000592:standards*