The Potential of Social Capital Measures in the Evaluation of Comprehensive Community-Based Health Initiatives

Determining the effectiveness of comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs) poses measurement challenges for evaluators and communities, especially those attempting to employ participatory evaluation. In light of the growing body of research documenting, a relationship between social capital and health, this paper suggests, first, that evaluators should consider social capital as one of the major influences in health and well-being and, second, that measures of social capital should receive increased attention as indicators of progress toward health outcome goals. In this note, I clarify what is meant by the concept “social capital,” offer a possible operationalization of the term, present findings from a small sample of studies that demonstrate links between measures of social capital and health, and offer justification of this alternative measurement approach for the evaluation of CCIs. Discussion is based on SRI International’s work with communities involved in the Sierra Health Foundation’s community partnerships for healthy children initiative. Dana M. Petersen • SRI International, BS 143-333 Ravenswood Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Tel: (1) 650-859-4518; E-mail: [email protected]. American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2002, pp. 55–64. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. ISSN: 1098-2140 © 2002 by American Evaluation Association. Published by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.