Evaluation of an Integrated Health Promotion Program for a low-income urban population: Findings and lessons learned.

This was a pilot pre-post evaluation, so changes over time cannot be separated from other causes. The program delivered many components at once, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. The study did not collect medication or adherence data, so blood pressure or weight changes could have been due to prescribed treatment. Follow-up was about 4 months, and participants could continue activities after follow-up, so long-term effects are unknown. Analyses used fewer participants than enrolled: 103 for health status, 93 for weight, 92 for BMI, 88 for blood pressure, and 109 for behaviors. Dropouts were not contacted, so reasons for leaving may differ from those who stayed. Focus group participants were selected for engaging in multiple components, so their views may not represent all enrollees. Hospital engagement was delayed and data sharing was insufficient, which could affect coordination. Many outcomes were self-reported or collected by program staff.

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Do not read the blood pressure drop or focus group reports of weight loss as proof that Wellness Rising caused these changes. The pilot used pre-post assessments, participants received many services at once, and medication or adherence information was not collected.