Health Program Evaluation

Patricia B. Campbell - Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc.
Veronica G. Thomas - Howard University, USA

Other Titles in:
Health Evaluation | Health Research Methods | Public Health Program Evaluation

March 2026 | 352 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This timely textbook focuses on planning and implementing evaluation of public health programs through an equity-focused, socially just and racialized lens. While providing fundamental knowledge, tools, practical skills and theory, the authors challenge the dominant paradigm in planning implementing health evaluation programs, and the impact of power and privilege in evaluation. The text offers a wealth of topics not found in similar texts such as social determinants of health in program planning and evaluation, evaluation ethics in diverse cultural contexts, ethical issues surrounding historical trauma, and the challenges of dealing with the politicalization of evaluation. Engaging features such as Case Studies, Perspectives from Groundbreakers, Reflect and Discuss questions, and Activities incorporate practical and applied opportunities for learning.

Preface

Acknowledgements

About The Authors

Chapter 1: Using Evaluation as a Tool to Improve Health Programs and Reduce Health Disparities

Introduction

Overview of the Book’s Focus, Framework and Structure

An Overview of Evaluation and Related Concepts

Evaluation Based on a Culturally Responsive, Racialized, and Social Justice Framework

Rethinking Health and Health Disparity Program Evaluation

Mistrust in Health Care and Government

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 2: Bias, Discrimination, and Racism in Health and Health Programs: Implications for Evaluation

Introduction

Defining Race and Ethnicity in the United States

Health Disparities, Health Inequities, and Health Equity

Behind the Disparities

Implications for Health Disparity Programs and their Evaluations

The Deficit Model

Medical Trust and Mistrust

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 3: Theories of Health Behaviors and Program Evaluation

Introduction

What is Theory and Why is it Important?

Major Theories of Health Behaviors and Outcomes

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 4: Culturally Responsive and Equity-Focused Health Program and Evaluation Planning

Introduction

Importance of Needs Assessment in the Planning Process

Key Issues and Questions Prior to Health Program Planning

Integrating Health Program Planning and Evaluation Planning

Health Planning Models

Planning from a Culturally Responsive and Equity-Oriented Perspective

Faulty Assumptions During the Program and Evaluation Planning Process

Practical Steps in Health Program Planning and Evaluation Planning

Tools to Guide Program and Evaluation Planning

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 5: Ethics, Standards, and Social Justice Evaluation Approaches

Introduction

Ethics: Definition, Core Components, and Types

Critical Thinking and Ethics

Interplay Between Evaluation Ethics, Standards, and Social Justice

Conflicts of Interest in Health Evaluations

Culture, Ethics, and Evaluation

Ethical Principles, Program Evaluation Standards, and Social Justice

Evaluation Approaches with Ethical and Social Justice-Focus

Ethics and Social Justice Considerations in Using AI in Health Program Evaluation

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 6: Engaging with Priority Populations and Communities in Health Program Evaluations

Introduction

Engagement with Priority Populations: An Overview

Social Justice Foundations for Engaging with Priority Communities

The Value of Engagement and Examples Throughout the Evaluation Process

Using Engagement to Increase Cultural Understandings and Equity

Identifying Key Audiences for Engagement Activities

Continuum of Engagement for Different Purposes and Potential Results

Barriers to Engagement and Ways to Minimize Them

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 7: Asking Evaluative Questions to Understand Program Outcomes and Advance Equity

Introduction

Distinguishing between Evaluation Questions and Research Questions

Learning About the Program and Its Context

Meaningful Evaluation Questions: Sources Beyond Project Goals

Mitigating Power Dynamics When Identifying Evaluation Questions

Characteristics of Good Evaluation Questions

Types of Evaluation Questions

AI and Generating Evaluation Questions

Crosswalk of Evaluation Questions with Project Goals and Logic Model

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 8: Selecting Measures and Collecting Data

Introduction

An Equity Based Framework for Selecting Measures and Collecting Data

Criteria Behind Selecting and/or Developing Measures

Using Existing Data

Using Existing Measures

Developing Measures for Health Program Evaluations

Data Collection

Building Trust

Response Rates and Hard-to-Reach Groups

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 9: Selecting and Using the Best Designs

Introduction

Evaluation Designs

Complex Evaluation Designs Adapted from Health Research and Clinical Studies

Comparison and Control Groups

Rigor

Expanding Concepts of Rigor

Selecting An Evaluation Design

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 10: Analyzing Health Program Data

Introduction

Deductive and Inductive Reasoning

Analyzing Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Inferential Statistics and Statistical Significance

Qualitative Data Analysis

Intersectionality, Disaggregation and Data Analysis

Data Visualization

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Data Analysis

Interpreting the Data

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 11: Reporting and Disseminating Evaluation Findings that are Usable and Used

Introduction

Reporting Evaluation Results

Types of Evaluation Reports

Visual Representation of Data

Universal Design

Helping Audiences Engage with Evaluation Findings

Using Artificial Intelligence

Disseminating Results

Making Results Usable and Used

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Chapter 12: Moving Forward While Pushing Back

Introduction

The Framework

Cross-Cutting Themes Underlying the Framework

Defining Success

Benefits and Barriers of Engagement

Doing Evaluation in a Politicalized World

Chapter Reflection and Application

Supplemental Resources

Appendix A: American Evaluation Association Evaluators’ Ethical Principles

Appendix B: Program Evaluation Standards

Appendix C: Culturally Responsive and Equity-Focused Evaluations of Public Health Programs: Six Checklists

References

The authors successfully bring a critical lens to program evaluation while maintaining plain language explanations, as well as opportunities for practice and reflection. The use of interviews with health practitioners models the authors' message to engage and co-create with the people who are most impacted by evaluation work.

Kimberley Freire

Georgia State University

Campbell & Thomas’s text is responsible and refreshing, inviting students into the world of evaluation that centers culture and DEI. This text does its part in helping to shift the culture of evaluation toward equity for the next generation of evaluators.

Natalie E. Cook

Virginia Tech

This book is a very good resource for evaluation and health education specialists who work with diverse populations and need a cultural and inclusivity lens for conducting evaluations.

Amar Kanekar

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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Using a Culturally Responsive, Racialized, and Equity Perspective

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