Evaluating Comprehensive State Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs Using an Outcome Indicator Framework

Abstract

The outcome indicator framework helps tobacco prevention and control programs (TCPs) plan and implement theory-driven evaluations of their efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use. Tobacco use is the single-most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The implementation of public health best practices by comprehensive state TCPs has been shown to prevent the initiation of tobacco use, reduce tobacco use prevalence, and decrease tobacco-related health care expenditures. Achieving and sustaining program goals require TCPs to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of their programs. To guide evaluation efforts by TCPs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health developed an outcome indicator framework that includes a high-level logic model and evidence-based outcome indicators for each tobacco prevention and control goal area. In this article, we describe how TCPs and other community organizations can use the outcome indicator framework in their evaluation efforts. We also discuss how the framework is used at the national level to unify tobacco prevention and control efforts across varying state contexts, identify promising practices, and expand the public health evidence base.

Keywords: adolescent; attitudes; health knowledge; practice; program evaluation; public health practice; tobacco.

FIGURE 1

Preventing Initiation of Tobacco Use Logic Model

FIGURE 2. Example Indicator Profile

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014b). ^†As identified by indicator number, 1.5.f., this indicator links to National Tobacco Control Program Goal 1, Preventing initiation of tobacco use, Outcome Box 5, Reduced susceptibility. ^±KOI 2005 refers to the previous edition of Key Outcome Indicators for Evaluating Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. ^#Numbers indicate citation references included in the indicator documentation.