Measuring delivery and impact in community-based health promotion initiatives: development and overview of the Healthway Evaluation Framework

Background Robust evaluation is critical for understanding and enhancing the impact of health promotion initiatives. However, many community-based organisations face challenges in planning and conducting evaluation due to limitations in knowledge, resources, and the applicability of existing evaluation frameworks. The Healthway Evaluation Framework, and its accompanying practical Measurement Toolkit, was designed to support evaluation planning, implementation, and reporting across diverse health promotion programs and settings. Methods and results Drawing on an evidence review and extensive consultation with community organisations and health promotion funders, the Framework consists of four pillars: (i) Activity; (ii) Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour; (iii) Organisational; and (iv) Sustainability. Each pillar includes clearly defined elements to guide the evaluation of both delivery processes and health and organisational outcomes. A Measurement Toolkit accompanies the Evaluation Framework, providing practical guidance for data collection in health promotion evaluation. Conclusion The Healthway Evaluation Framework provides a practical and adaptable solution for advancing evaluation practice, enhancing the consistency of reporting, and strengthening the evidence base for health promotion.