Evaluate Skills & Programs
Research and evaluation are essential pieces of the health literacy improvement process and effective public health practice. The only way we will know if the changes and interventions we implement are having the intended effect is when we evaluate.
Evaluation occurs during the planning, implementation and outcome phases in the form of formative, process and outcome evaluations. The tools and resources listed in the Program Evaluation section will help you think about what and how to research and evaluate.
We also provide information and tools for planning your research, identifying opportunities and barriers to improving health literacy in your organization, finding funding opportunities, and learning about current research on health literacy topics.
Measures and outcomes are part of an evaluation process. It is important to know and understand why you want to measure and what you intend to do with the results before you begin. Here you will find a description of CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation, and possible sources of communication and health literacy measures.
Your organization can’t address its health literacy issues if it doesn’t know its current situation. It’s easy to make assumptions, but you need data. Do an honest assessment to identify opportunities and barriers to make progress on health literacy.
Different surveys measure people’s literacy, numeracy, and health literacy skills and their experiences with healthcare. You can use these studies for ideas about research and evaluation questions or as benchmarks for your own results.