This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (14) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Scheirer, M. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Is Sustainability Possible? A Review and Commentary on Empirical Studies of Program Sustainability

Scheirer Consulting, maryann{at}scheirerconsulting.com

An important final step in the life cycles of programs and their evaluation involves assessing new programs’ or innovations’ sustainability. This review and synthesis of 19 empirical studies of the sustainability of American and Canadian health-related programs examines the extent of sustainability achieved and summarizes factors contributing to greater sustainability. Three definitions for measuring sustainability were examined: continued program activities (18 studies), continued measured benefits or outcomes for new clients (2 studies), and maintained community capacity (6 studies). Methods of studying sustainability were also assessed. In 14 of 17 studies covering the continuation of program activities, at least 60% of sites reported sustaining at least one program component. Although these studies’ methods had substantial limitations, cross-study analysis showed consistent support for five important factors influencing the extent of sustainability: (a) A program can be modified over time, (b) a "champion" is present, (c) a program "fits" with its organization’s mission and procedures, (d) benefits to staff members and/or clients are readily perceived, and (e) stakeholders in other organizations provide support.

Key Words: sustainability • health promotion programs • routinization • institutionalization • program life cycle • evaluation

American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 26, No. 3, 320-347 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1098214005278752


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Poland, G. Krupa, and D. McCall Settings for Health Promotion: An Analytic Framework to Guide Intervention Design and Implementation Health Promot Pract, October 1, 2009; 10(4): 505 - 516. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. F. Russ-Eft Human Resource Development (HRD) Evaluation and Principles Related to the Public Interest American Journal of Evaluation, June 1, 2009; 30(2): 225 - 231. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Savaya, G. Elsworth, and P. Rogers Projected Sustainability of Innovative Social Programs Eval Rev, April 1, 2009; 33(2): 189 - 205. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. C. Fagen and B. R. Flay Sustaining a School-Based Prevention Program: Results From the Aban Aya Sustainability Project Health Educ Behav, February 1, 2009; 36(1): 9 - 23. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Savaya, S. Spiro, and R. Elran-Barak Sustainability of Social Programs: A Comparative Case Study Analysis American Journal of Evaluation, December 1, 2008; 29(4): 478 - 493. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. St Leger Questioning sustainability in health promotion projects and programs Health Promot. Int., December 1, 2005; 20(4): 317 - 319. [Full Text] [PDF]