Abstract
The current scholarly focus on implementation science is meant to ensure that public health interventions are effectively embedded in their settings. Part of this conversation includes understanding how to support the sustainability of beneficial interventions so that limited resources are maximised, long-term public health outcomes are realised, community support is not lost, and ethical research standards are maintained. However, the concept of sustainability is confusing because of variations in terminology and a lack of agreed upon measurement frameworks, as well as methodological challenges. This commentary explores the challenges around the sustainability of public health interventions, with particular attention to definitions and frameworks like Normalization Process Theory and the Dynamic Sustainability Framework. We propose one important recommendation to direct attention to the sustainability of public health interventions, that is, the use of theoretically informed approaches to guide the design, development, implementation, evaluation and sustainability of public health interventions.
Highlights
There is increasing interest and effort among researchers, evaluators, funders and community partners to understand the sustainability of effective public health interventions [1]
The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges around the sustainability of public health interventions and discuss how to address them
We examine some of the theories, models and frameworks that have been proposed to guide the evaluation of sustainability of public health interventions
Summary
There is increasing interest and effort among researchers, evaluators, funders and community partners to understand the sustainability of effective public health interventions [1]. Despite these efforts, understanding sustainability is hindered by several challenges such as variations in conceptualising sustainability, lack of agreed upon measurement frameworks, difficult reporting approaches and timing, as well as methodological challenges related to sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges around the sustainability of public health interventions and discuss how to address them. We examine some of the theories, models and frameworks that have been proposed to guide the evaluation of sustainability of public health interventions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.