SETTING TARGETS - A 3-STAGE MODEL FOR DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR HEALTH PROMOTION

This paper describes a three-stage model for setting targets for healt h promotion. The model was developed in 1992 in response to the need t o identify priority areas for health promotion for women in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. The approach enabled epidemiological data and views from the community to be synthesised and integrated with tho se of experts from health and social services (key informants), using a nominal group process. The reliability of the method was investigate d by replicating the process with two groups of key informants. There was considerable commonality in the targets generated by the two group s. The process resulted in the identification of seven targets that re flected the concerns of the community and local experts as well as the health priorities suggested by local epidemiological data. The model used could be adapted for determining priorities in a wide range of he alth and health care settings, where available resources restrict the range of services or activities which can be offered.