title: Measuring the progress of capacity building in the Alberta Policy Coalition for Cancer Prevention.
abstract: The Alberta Policy Coalition for Cancer Prevention (APCCP) represents practitioners, policy makers, researchers, and community organizations working together to coordinate efforts and advocate for policy change to reduce chronic diseases. The aim of this research was to capture changes in the APCCP's capacity to advance its goals over the course of its operation. We adapted the Public Health Agency of Canada's validated Community Capacity-Building Tool to capture policy work. All members of the APCCP were invited to complete the tool in 2010 and 2011. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t tests. Qualitative comments were analyzed using thematic content analysis. A group process for reaching consensus provided context to the survey responses and contributed to a participatory analysis. Significant improvement was observed in eight out of nine capacity domains. Lessons learned highlight the importance of balancing volume and diversity of intersectoral representation to ensure effective participation, as well as aligning professional and economic resources. Defining involvement and roles within a coalition can be a challenging activity contingent on the interests of each sector represented. The participatory analysis enabled the group to reflect on progress made and future directions for policy advocacy.
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada kim.raine@ualberta.ca.
authors: Kim D
authors: KD
authors: Raine
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Cristabel
authors: C
authors: Sosa Hernandez
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Candace I J
authors: CI
authors: Nykiforuk
authors: Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Shandy
authors: S
authors: Reed
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Genevieve
authors: G
authors: Montemurro
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Ellina
authors: E
authors: Lytvyak
authors: Public Health Agency, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Mary-Frances
authors: MF
authors: MacLellan-Wright
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006265:Health Care Coalitions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: advocacy; cancer prevention and control; community organization; health promotion; partnerships /coalitions