Final answer:
Effective safety and health program measures of effectiveness include improved physical and mental health outcomes and detailed program-based evaluations that inform on aspects such as student preferences and advisor availability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effective Measures of Safety and Health Program Effectiveness
Two good measures of safety and health program effectiveness are the assessment of improved physical and mental health outcomes, as well as program-based evaluations that provide actionable insights for improvement. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) asks questions about individuals' self-rated health and counts of poor physical and mental health days, providing data that can be used to evaluate regional health status. Furthermore, when looking at the results of program-based evaluations, aspects such as student preferences, advisor availability, and suggestions for program improvements provide practical measures of a program's impact.
Consistent tracking of healthy days as reported by individuals can show the efficacy of health programs, especially when this data indicates a decrease in exposure to violence/trauma and an increase in reported good physical health. Yet, it is crucial to note that mental health often does not improve at the same rate and should be given equal attention. Evaluations that include both qualitative and quantitative data—such as feedback on the timing of classes, the effectiveness of advisors and field placement coordinators, and employment outcomes of graduates—offer comprehensive insights to gauge a program's success and identify areas for improvement.
Having measures of association allow for an understanding of the frequency and distribution of health-related events, but do not always convey the efficacy of specific programs. Program evaluations are most effective when they are congruent with program efforts—simple programs need straightforward evaluations, whereas longer or more complex programs might require more detailed evaluations to truly understand their impact.
Lastly, it is important to recognize that program evaluations can uncover successful initiatives that can be replicated in other contexts. This requires careful documentation of the implementation processes so that the lessons learned can be appropriately applied elsewhere.