| Roundtable: Overcoming Mountains and Valleys: Examining the Dynamics of Evaluation With Underserved Populations |
| Roundtable Presentation 715 to be held in Jefferson Room on Saturday, November 10, 9:35 AM to 10:20 AM |
| Presenter(s): |
| Sylvette La Touche, University of Maryland, College Park, latouche@umd.edu |
| Amy Billing, University of Maryland, College Park, billing@umd,edu |
| Nancy Atkinson, University of Maryland, College Park, atkinson@umd.edu |
| Jing Tian, University of Maryland, tianjing@umd.edu |
| Robert Gold, University of Maryland, rsgold@umd.edu |
| Abstract: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in its policy directive Healthy People 2010, identified home Internet access as a national priority, especially among traditionally excluded populations namely minority, low-income and rural groups. To address this need, the University of Maryland, College Park and Maryland Cooperative Extension launched “Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland!”. This research effort sought to assess the capacity of technology to promote positive health behaviors among low literate audiences, using a web portal as its primary component (http://www.eatsmart.umd.edu). Extensive efforts to assess the project's effectiveness have been made, including the use of both process and impact evaluation tools. A unique evaluation strategy was employed, utilizing traditional data collection methods, in conjunction with online evaluation techniques. The results will enable other web-based efforts an opportunity to identify effective evaluation strategies and help to assure that health disparities resulting from literacy barriers to e-health materials are addressed. |