Assessing the Usefulness of Health Outcome Measures in the Evaluation of a Mature Program

The author has served as the program evaluator for the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education (SW Ag Center) since 2013, providing an opportunity to study a mature program. A longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of health outcome measures in determining program success. The historical progress of the SW Ag Center was traced using agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AgFF) health outcome data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (BLS SOII). Observable signs of maturity, such as collaboration and capacity building with partners, were examined using an original process measure called “in-reach.” BLS SOII trends fluctuated over time, even though AgFF injury and illness rates declined regionally from 1995 to 2023. The evaluation revealed limitations in the BLS SOII health outcome measures, while in-reach indicated sustainability. Characteristics of health outcome measures better suited for AgFF operations are described.