Sustainability of public health programs: the example of tobacco treatment services in Massachusetts.
Sustaining important public or grant-funded services after initial funding is terminated is a major public health challenge. We investigated whether tobacco treatment services previously funded within a statewide tobacco control initiative could be sustained after state funding was terminated abruptly. We found that 2 key strategies-redefining the scope of services being offered and creative use of resources-were factors that determined whether some community agencies were able to sustain services at a much higher level than others after funding was discontinued. Understanding these strategies and developing them at a time when program funding is not being threatened is likely to increase program sustainability.
LaPelle
Nancy R
NR
Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. nancy. lapelle@umassmed.edu
Zapka
Jane
J
Ockene
Judith K
JK
D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000639:trends*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008404:Massachusetts; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010934:Planning Techniques; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D011640:Public Policy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends