Editorial - Evaluation of health promotion programs: are we making progress?

Abstract

The opportunity I have had in recent years to facilitate a number of training courses with health promotion practitioners, has affirmed the value that many place upon evaluation in program management, and provided insights into the perceived benefits, costs and risks that this may entail. As might be expected, course participants can readily identify the benefits to be gained from evaluation: finding out what works; improving how programs are delivered; adding to the evidence that others can use; increasing the prospects of future funding; and satisfaction and rewards for workers, among an array of others.