Evaluating public health programs

Program evaluation is important for measuring the effect of public health programs and determining their influence on longer-term health outcomes. It also provides valuable evidence to improve the delivery, reach and impact of public health strategies.

This unit will enable you to design evaluations that are suitable for a range of public health and disease prevention programs. You will conduct evaluation planning based on theoretical approaches and best-practice principles.

Levels of evaluation will be examined, as well as the range of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods suitable for the different contexts and stakeholders involved in public health practice. The unit will equip you with the skills to choose appropriate methods for data collection, as well as use suitable evaluation frameworks, tools and resources specific to public health and disease prevention programs.

There will be exploration and discussion of the evaluation challenges posed by the complexities of public health action and the contexts in which it is carried out.