PRACTICES OF SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY COALITIONS - A MULTIPLE CASE-STUDY

Objective: To identify successful coalition practices using qualitativ e data and a case study design. Methods: Bracket sampling was used to select two of six rural coalitions that varied on several intermediate outcomes. Qualitative data obtained from focus groups with the core m embership of the two coalitions were contrasted. Results: Differences between the positive and negative case were found on decision making f or health promotion activities, scope of health problems and populatio ns addressed, methods for encouraging community participation, benefit s and costs of membership, and approach to coalition institutionalizat ion. Conclusions: Prescriptions for improving coalition practice are p resented and discussed.