Evaluation: Methods and strategy for evaluation - Massachusetts

Various challenges exist when evaluating statewide, community-based public health initiatives and these need to be addressed by tobacco control progra ms. There are factors inherent in public health initiatives that can make i t difficult to assess causality and effectiveness. These include initial de sign elements, funding mandates, duration of program and resources allocate d for Evaluation. In addition, outside efforts to undermine the initiative also must be taken into consideration, when evaluating effectiveness. This article focuses on these and other challenges encountered by the Massachuse tts Tobacco Control Program and presents information on the state specific tobacco surveys conducted for the Program. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society .