Surveillance systems, the Youth and Adult Tobacco Surveys, are typically used to monitor tobacco related behaviors, attitudes and health outcomes of populations at regular intervals. Faced with the need to provide the state Legislature - in less than a year’s time - with information on the most effective ways to promote reduction in tobacco use, a set of evaluation needs - beyond surveillance - surfaced in the early stages of the Texas tobacco settlement. The resultant plan emphasized school, community, media and policy monitoring in the documentation of context and process.
A partnership of representatives from diverse disciplines at eight academic institutions was convened in FY00 under the leadership of the Texas Department of Health to establish and conduct a coordinated population-based tobacco evaluation and surveillance plan. The group was charged with collecting meaningful data on a pilot study in eighteen different geographic areas in Central and North East Texas while focusing on development of sound research methodologies, infrastructures and tracking systems to allow for expansion throughout the state in future years.
The presentation highlights the plan and roles of the various research partners. Key findings from the community needs assessment and agency network analysis are presented to illustrate how data collected during the first year of the study were used to improve program implementation and interpret impact and outcome findings
Although focused on tobacco, the experience and lessons learned in the first year of the tobacco settlement evaluation are applicable to other population-based programs.
See www.tdh.state.tx.us/otpc
Learning Objectives: 1)Describe the context, rationale and key elements of a state tobacco evaluation and surveillance plan 2)Discuss the roles of the various academic and state agency partners 3) identify key outcomes and applications of the Year 1 findings
Keywords: Evaluation, Partnerships
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas Department of Health, University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.