Importance of Evaluation
Evaluation provides a systematic method to study a program, practice, intervention, or initiative to understand how well it achieves its goals. Evaluations help determine what works well and what could be improved in a program or initiative. Program evaluations can be used to:
- Demonstrate impact to funders
- Suggest improvements for continued efforts
- Seek support for continuing the program
- Gather information on the approach that can be shared with others
- Help determine if an approach would be appropriate to replicate in other locations with similar needs
For evaluation considerations for specific types of programs, see:
- Aging in Place
- Care Coordination Toolkit
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit
- Community Health Workers Toolkit
- Community Paramedicine Toolkit
- Diabetes Prevention and Management Toolkit
- Early Childhood Health Promotion Toolkit
- Health Equity Toolkit
- Health Literacy Toolkit
- Health Networks and Coalitions Toolkit
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Toolkit
- HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Toolkit
- Maternal Health Toolkit
- Mental Health Toolkit
- Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD Toolkit)
- Obesity Toolkit
- Oral Health Toolkit
- Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Toolkit
- Services Integration Toolkit
- Social Determinants of Health Toolkit
- Suicide Prevention Toolkit
- Telehealth Toolkit
- Tobacco Control and Prevention Toolkit
- Transportation Toolkit
The Rural Philanthropy Toolkit identifies evaluation considerations for working with funders.
Resources to Learn More
Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs
Assessment, and Program Evaluation
Website
A guide to rural health research, needs assessments, and program evaluation, specifically the importance of
conducting these different practices.
Organization(s): Rural Health Information Hub