LPHI's Division of Evaluation and Research designs and implements monitoring and evaluation systems tailored to a wide variety of public health programs. The team designs and implements applied research and utilizes findings to develop and improve programs and policy.

Evaluation staff work with all LPHI programs to develop comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems and ensure their successful execution. Implementation of these systems contributes to program development, continuous quality improvement, effectiveness and accountability. The Division also enhances evaluation capacity among Louisiana organizations focused on health and social services thus expanding and improving current public health thinking and practice by creating, using, and disseminating public health information.

The Evaluation Division grew substantially in 2007. The Division is now staffed by a director, evaluation manager, research manager, three evaluation coordinators, and a data coordinator. These expansions were designed to address the evaluation and research needs of new LPHI programs, as well as expand services provided to LPHI’s external partners.

The Division provides training and technical support to community organizations to enhance local capacity to design and implement evaluation and research studies to support programs and policies. For example, staff members are assisting Second Harvest Food Bank with an assessment of a nutrition intervention at several Head Start sites.

The Division is also assisting Partnership for Access to Health Care (PATH) members to monitor population health through electronic medical patient data and disease registries, which are projected to make delivery of health care more efficient and proactive. Among other program support activities, the Evaluation Division is conducting statewide and New Orleans-based behavioral surveys to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to tobacco use, obesity, diabetes and asthma. Results will be used by the leadership of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living and Steps to guide future program planning and to measure the impact of current activities.