Evaluation Results and Lessons Learned

Learn about CDC-funded program evaluations and evaluations of local and state organizations selected for their work in heart disease and stroke prevention.

CDC funds a variety of programs nationwide for heart disease and stroke prevention. You can use the program evaluations listed below to help you in your heart disease and stroke prevention efforts.

Million Hearts^® Partnerships 2012–2016: Key Evaluation Findings and Successes

This summary presents key findings from an evaluation of the Million Hearts^® 2012–2016 partnership network. During that time, the national Million Hearts^®external icon initiative helped prevent about half a million heart attacks and strokes in the United States. This evaluation demonstrates the importance of partnerships to the success of the initiative. As it moves forward with a new Million Hearts^® 2022 pdf icon[PDF-157 KB]external icon framework, Million Hearts^® will continue to focus on maintaining existing partnerships and creating new ones.

Sodium Reduction in Communities Program (SRCP) Evaluation Approach pdf icon[PDF – 248 KB]

The Sodium Reduction in Communities Program (SRCP) funds recipients to implement sodium reduction strategies to increase the availability and purchase of lower-sodium food options. SRCP’s comprehensive evaluation examines the extent to which sodium reduction is possible at the community level. This document provides a brief overview of the comprehensive evaluation approach and its primary components.

Paul Coverdell Acute Stroke Program 2012–2015 Evaluation Summary

The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program funds states to improve the quality of care for stroke patients. This report summarizes the programmatic strategies and activities used by grantees during the 2012–2015 funding period. The information can be used by states and public health departments interested in starting a stroke registry and improving stroke care and access to care.

Read the 2012–2015 Summary Report pdf icon[PDF – 627 KB]

Early Outcomes for Sodium Reduction in Communities Program infographic pdf icon[PDF-478K]

The Sodium Reduction in Communities Program funds communities across the country to implement strategies to reduce sodium intake to no more than the recommended maximum amount as defined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The infographic and the Sodium Reduction in Communities Program Outcome Evaluation Toolkit pdf icon[PDF-1.7M] highlight awardees’ work in their communities during the 2013–2016 award cycle. Examples include making recipe modifications and replacing products with lower sodium options in hospitals, schools, and other local organizations.

State Cardiovascular Health Examination Survey

CDC funded three states to develop and implement a state cardiovascular health examination survey to guide strategies and evaluation of cardiovascular health promotion.

State Public Health Actions (1305) Evaluation Approach pdf icon[PDF – 840 KB]

State Public Health Actions (1305) funds states to prevent, manage, and reduce the risk factors associated with chronic diseases—including childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. CDC developed a comprehensive approach to evaluating 1305 to assess the relevance, quality and impact of 1305 over the course of the cooperative agreement. This document provides a brief overview of the purpose and primary components of the evaluation approach.

State and Local Public Health Actions (1422) Evaluation Approach pdf icon[PDF – 214 KB]

State and Local Public Health Actions (1422) funds states and large cities to prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke among general and priority populations with the aim of reducing health disparities and improving health equity among adults. CDC’s 1422 comprehensive evaluation approach describes and assesses the implementation of, and outcomes related to, the use of the Dual Approach pdf icon[PDF – 124 KB] and mutually reinforcing strategies pdf icon[PDF – 199 KB]. This document provides a brief overview of the evaluation approach and its primary components.

State and Local Public Health Actions

Four distinct CDC chronic disease prevention programs work together to strengthen state and local actions to address health risk behaviors, environments, and systems associated with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and school health. These snapshots show the work grantees are doing in the program and progress to date.

CDC identified the following programs as promising practices for preventing heart disease and stroke. The evaluation summaries briefly describe the program’s rigorous evaluation process, including methods and key findings. You can use the lessons learned from these cardiovascular disease prevention programs to guide strategies in your setting.

Building GIS Capacity for Chronic Disease Surveillance pdf icon[PDF – 397 KB]
The Building GIS Capacity for Chronic Disease Surveillance program aims to enhance the capacity of state and local health departments to incorporate GIS into their surveillance and prevention efforts for heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases. This summary describes a mixed-methods evaluation to assess the quality of the training, utilization and institutionalization of GIS mapping, and collaboration and partnerships.
Aggressively Treating Global Cardiometabolic Risk Factors to Reduce Cardiovascular Events (AT GOAL) Program Evaluation Summary pdf icon[PDF-375K]
Established by the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control (COSEHC), the AT GOAL program was selected for evaluation as a potentially promising practice to address cardiovascular disease (CVD). AT GOAL is a practice-level quality improvement (QI) initiative that uses performance metrics, offers monitoring and feedback to practices, and provides physician education. The evaluation was conducted to describe the program’s core components, identify lessons that other programs might consider, and determine its impact on intended outcomes.
The Shands Jacksonville Patient-Centered Medical Home Diabetes and Hypertension Self-Management Education Model: Evaluation Summary pdf icon[PDF-1.8M]
Shands Jacksonville Patient-Centered Medical Home was selected as a promising practice because its diabetes and hypertension self-management education (DHSME) model addresses health disparities, reduces barriers to care, and improves treatment. In collaboration with staff from Shands Jacksonville and a contractor, CDC evaluated the implementation processes, clinical outcomes, and costs of the Shands Jacksonville model.
The Shands Jacksonville Patient-Centered Medical Home Diabetes and Hypertension Self-Management Education Model: Program Costs Summary pdf icon[PDF-421K]
As part of the comprehensive evaluation of the Shands Jacksonville Patient-Centered Medical Home diabetes and hypertension self-management education (DHSME) model, CDC and a contractor conducted a cost study of the model in three clinics.
Residency Program Collaborative and Community Health Center Collaboration: Evaluation Summary pdf icon[PDF-333K]
The Residency Program Collaborative and Community Health Center Collaborative (RPC/CHCC) was selected as a potentially promising practice to prevent and control chronic conditions, such as hypertension.
St. Johnsbury Vermont Community Health Team: Evaluation Summary pdf icon[PDF-292K]
The Community Health Team (CHT) model was selected as a promising practice to prevent and control chronic conditions, such as hypertension. A mixed-methods evaluation aimed to describe the program, identify practices and lessons that other programs might consider using, and determine the effect the CHT model has on patient outcomes related to quality of life, hypertension, and health care use.
The Maryland Learning Collaborative: Evaluation Summary pdf icon[PDF-466K]
CDC selected the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDHMH) and specifically the Maryland Learning Collaborative (MLC) to participate in a 15-month enhanced evaluability assessment (EEA) of its strategies to reduce the effect of heart disease on population-level health outcomes. The EEA is an expedited evaluation that fulfills an important gap for reportable and actionable findings in a relatively short time frame.

Learn what states are doing to improve nutrition, physical activity, and other behaviors related to heart disease and stroke prevention.

Page last reviewed: July 11, 2019

Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention