Community and population health programs should be planned using theory. Theory is defined as:
A) Expert knowledge about a phenomenon of interest
B) An explanation of why a phenomenon occurs the way it does
C) Characteristics that identify them as the focus of health programming or have an unmet health need
D) Systematic identification of a population's needs or the assessment of individuals to determine the proper level of services needed

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Simply stated, a theory is an explanation of why a phenomenon occurs the way it does (Freudenberg et al., 1995). Good theories complement practical skills and technologies by taking the program beyond simply conducting activities to actually solving problems. Theories can provide answers to a program developer's questions about why people engage or do not engage in specific health behaviors and how to engage people in changing and maintaining behaviors. Programs devised to address expected behaviors according to a theory help to determine what factors to focus on in the evaluation (Posavac & Carey, 1997; van Ryn & Heaney, 1992).

Community and Population Health Programs Should Be Planned Using Theory