A framework for evaluating health promotion programs

Abstract

Evaluation of health promotion interventions is essential in order to collect evidence about the efficacy of a program, identify ways to improve practice, justify the use of resources, and identify unexpected outcomes. This paper clarifies the role of evaluation as a crucial component of health promotion interventions. Moreover, it summarises the key elements of the most widely used planning/evaluation frameworks necessary for constructive evaluations of health promotion interventions and incorporates them into a single approach. It provides a methodical framework for the provision of evaluation guidance to health promotion practitioners and discusses the importance of including evaluation when planning any health promotion intervention. The focus of this paper is on the essential elements of the evaluation of health promotion programs.