Additional Information

Here are some things you probably need to know to get your community health initiative off the ground.

“Evidence-Based”

What exactly do we mean when we use the term “evidence-based” on the KNACK site? Here's the definition we like:

Interventions, practices, and/or information that have been identified as true, valid, and reliable through an expert consensus or an analytical process using commonly agreed-upon criteria, not limited to randomized trials and open to observational trials.*

When evaluating and choosing an evidence-based health program or intervention, Brounstein, Zweig, and Gardner* recommend that you keep the following tips in mind.

Look for programs...

  • With a clear theoretical or conceptual basis.
  • That match the needs of the population you are targeting (such as middle-school children).
  • That match the desired outcomes (such as increased physical activity).
  • That can be well-implemented, and with a "dosage" (such as "three times per week") that is sufficient to cause change.
  • That have a thorough and appropriate method to analyze progress and outcomes (such as monitoring the children's weight gain or loss).
  • In which problem solving is multi-disciplinary. *

Consider...

  • Specific needs of the target population (What do middle-school children need most to stay healthy?).
  • Whether the intervention is culturally appropriate (Will Hispanic children respond well to this program?).
  • Number of studies done to measure the program's effectiveness (Has the program been tested with more than one group of children?).
  • Design suitability (Is the program well designed and based on needs of the target group?).
  • Quality of execution (Do I feel comfortable that this program will be successful?).
  • Cost analysis (Do benefits outweigh the costs?).
  • Time to implement (Will we have enough time to see some benefits in the children?).
  • Barriers (Will we have the facilities, funding and people to get this off the ground?).
  • Program or policy?
    • If you implement a program, you will have greater control over all aspects of it and you or your group will have primary responsibility for the program's design, implementation and outcomes.
    • If you implement a policy, your control will vary. Policy is often made by elected officials and has the potential for greater health impact because it can reach more people. Credit for successful policies must be shared. **

Avoid programs based on...

  • History.
  • Anecdotes.
  • Too few studies.
  • Sufficient studies, but inconsistent results.
  • Pressure from policy makers. **

Criteria

* Brounstein, P.J., Zweig, J.M., and Gardner, S.E. 2001. Science-Based Practices in Substance Abuse Prevention: A Guide.
** Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
*** This information adapted from An Action for Healthy Kids Report: Criteria for Evaluating School-Based Approaches to Increasing Good Nutrition and Physical Activity. Please visit www.actionforhealthykids.org to access this full report and more information and resources to improve the health environment of schools nationwide.