Development and testing of a framework for assessing the effectiveness of health promotion

Objectives: The purpose was to develop and test a framework for assessing the overall effectiveness of health promotion in one Canadian province. Methods: The project relied on expert opinion and consensus. A multidisciplinary team developed a Project Description Framework and a Health Promotion Evaluation Framework. Two sets of inclusion criteria were developed for selecting projects to be assessed using the Framework. The sampling frame was all health promotion projects starting in Alberta in January 1993 or later for which a written program evaluation could be obtained. Of 180 project reports, 91 met the first set and 35 met the remaining inclusion criteria. Two research associates independently used the Project Description Framework. Three associates independently applied the inclusion criteria. Consensus was reached in all cases. Research team members used the Health Promotion Evaluation Framework to assess the 35 projects and to comment on its utility and any gaps identified. Results: A framework for assessing the effectiveness of health promotion was developed and tested. Conclusion: This framework is a useful tool as evidenced by the review that was obtained and subsequent applications.