Background
Evidence-based guidelines have been developed for promoting physical activity in community settings. To date, there has been little evaluation of the dissemination of these guidelines.

Aims
This project’s primary goal is to assess the extent and effectiveness of the dissemination of the Community Guide among state and local public health practitioners. To accomplish this, we will assess awareness, adoption, implementation and maintenance. Both moderate- and high-intensity methods of dissemination will be compared.

Methods
This project is a three-arm, multi-component dissemination study. Early in the project, we will conduct key informant interviews and quantitative e-mail survey with potential Guide users. Moderate-intensity dissemination approaches will include mailings, conference presentations and distribution of a CD-ROM. We will also carry out active, high-intensity dissemination (ie., workshops, on-going technical assistance) in selected state and local health departments. In the second year, we will conduct follow-up e-mail survey and will also conduct four case studies. Our project relies on both quantitative and qualitative methods to triangulate data sources, comparing moderate- and high-intensity dissemination methods.

Innovation & Use of Findings
This is study is among the first systematically evaluate the dissemination of guidelines to enhance physical activity in community settings; it is also one of the first studies to assess the relative effectiveness of different dissemination strategies. It uses multiple methods and should have numerous applications among public health practitioners.

Guide to Community Preventive Services:
Promoting Physical Activity
Click on the title to go to the Community Guide. This will open a new window.

Case Studies

Publications

Brownson RC, Ballew P, Dieffenderfer B, Haire-Joshu D, Heath GW, Kreuter MW, Meyers BA. What contributes to dissemination by state health departments of evidence-based interventions to promote physical activity? Am J Prev Med. 2006;(in press).

Brownson RC, Ballew P, Brown K, Elliott MB, Haire-Joshu D, Heath GW, Kreuter MW. Disseminating evidence-based interventions to promote physical activity in state and local health departments. Am J Pub Health. 2006;(in press).