No abstract

The types of adaptations and reasons described in this evaluation support the idea that adaptation is a natural element of implementing evidence-based interventions. Building this understanding into dissemination strategies may help researchers and funders better reach communities with evidence-based interventions that are a relevant fit, while striving for fidelity.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is recommended for adults aged 50–75 years, yet screening rates are low, especially among the uninsured. The CDC initiated the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) in 2009 with the goal of increasing CRC screening rates to 80% by 2014. A total of 29 grantees (states and tribal organizations) receive CRCCP funding to (1) screen uninsured adults and (2) promote CRC screening at the population level. Purpose CRCCP encourages grantees to use one or more of five evidence-based interventions (EBIs) recommended by the Guide to Community Preventive Services. The purpose of the study was to evaluate grantees’ EBI use. Methods A web-based survey was conducted in 2011 measuring grantees’ use of CRC screening EBIs and identifying their implementation partners. Data were analyzed in 2012. Results Twenty-eight grantees (97%) completed the survey. Most respondents (96%) used small media. Fewer used client reminders (75%); reduction of structural barriers (50%); provider reminders (32%); or provider assessment and feedback (50%). Provider-oriented EBIs were rated as harder to implement than client-oriented EBIs. Grantees partnered with several types of organizations to implement EBIs, many with county- or state-wide reach. Conclusions Almost all grantees implement EBIs to promote CRC screening, but the EBIs that may have the greatest impact with CRC screening are implemented by fewer grantees in the first 2 years of the CRCCP.

Mini-grants are an increasingly common tool for engaging communities in evidence-based interventions (EBI) for promoting public health. This paper describes efforts by four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Networks to design and implement mini-grant programs to disseminate EBIs for cancer prevention and control. This paper describes source of EBI, funding levels, selection criteria, timeframe, number and size of grants, types of organizations funded, selected accomplishments, training and technical assistance (TA), and evaluation topics/methods. Grant size ranged from $1,000–10,000 (median=$6,250). This mini-grant opportunity was characterized by its emphasis on training and TA for evidence-based programming and dissemination of interventions from NCI’s Research Tested Intervention Programs and CDC’s Community Guide. All projects had an evaluation component although they varied in scope. Mini-grant processes described can serve as a model for organizations such as state health departments working to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Third-hand smoke (THS) is the residual tobacco smoke contaminant that remains after a cigarette is extinguished. It can react with the indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce a carcinogen. Understanding perceptions of THS is critical, as it may inform the development of messages for promoting smoke-free homes. Six focus groups, of smokers and non-smokers, with 39 participants were conducted. Participants were asked whether they knew about THS and its harmful effects and whether it would motivate people to make their homes smoke free. They also answered questions about THS beliefs. Participants were mostly African-American, female and high-school graduate or General Educational Development (GED) recipients. Most of the participants had not heard about it and did not know what THS was. When asked about the dangers of THS, some participants made references to children indicating that they can easily inhale or ingest the residue leading to harmful effects. Almost all of the participants stated that they thought being educated about THS would motivate people to make their homes smoke free. There is a need for more scientific understanding of the potential dangers of THS and subsequent education about its exposure and harm to children and possibly adults.

The church environment may play an important role in supporting healthy eating in this setting and more generally.

A mini-grants and technical assistance model has the potential to be an effective mechanism for disseminating evidence-based programs to community organizations, and further study of this method is warranted.

High rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke exist in rural South Georgia where the Emory Prevention Research Center's Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network provided mini-grant funding to six churches to implement policy and environmental change to promote healthy eating and physical activity. This study sought to determine whether perceptions of the health promotion environment changed over time and whether perceived environmental change was associated with healthy behavior at church and in general. This study used a single-group pre-post design with 1-year follow-up. Parishioners (N = 258) completed self-administered questionnaires assessing perceptions of the church health promotion environment relative to healthy eating and physical activity, eating behavior and intention to use physical activity facilities at church, and eating and physical activity behaviors generally. Results indicate that perceived improvements in church nutrition environments were most strongly associated with decreases in unhealthy food consumed and stronger intentions to use physical activity resources at church (ps ≤ .05). Perceived changes in the physical activity environment were unrelated to church or general behavior. Findings suggest that church environments may play an important role in supporting healthy eating and physical activity at church; however, whether the influence of the church environment extends to other settings is unknown.