Indicators are the measurable benchmarks that contribute to a valid and objective understanding. Indicators are used commonly in many disciplines. For example, everyone knows that a low unemployment rate is a good indicator of a sound economy. We also all know that a body temperature above 98.6F is often an indicator of illness.
Applying this measurability to our creating healthier communities goals is less well established. Often the indicators are unique to each community, driven by the unique assets and challenges each community encounters over time.
Our organization developed the Healthy Indicators Project to add a measurability factor to our improvement work. This is how we'll know when we are a "healthier Carroll County"
The Healthy Indicators Project (2001-2003) was our three step plan to:
- identify the issues most important to our community
- match the issues with valid indicators
- monitor the progress of the initiatives to impact the selected indicators
Beginning in November 2001, interviews were conducted one-on-one with 60 leaders in individual Carroll County communities. Outcomes measurement training was provided to 45 people from government and non-profit agencies. We conducted community dialogues and surveys with over 150 participants. This information is summarized in our 2003 H.I. Project Report.
In May of 2002 we formed an “H.I. Team” with leaders from multiple business and civic groups. They got right to work and developed an indicator criteria definition.
Indicator Criteria -
To serve its purpose in accurately representing a value or concern of the community, and in promoting and measuring the effectiveness of a Partnership initiative, an indicator must meet certain core criteria. An indicator must:
- Be valid, based on fact, have understandable rationale
- Be readily measured, accessible, affordable
- Provide baseline data and be capable of showing change over time
- Be consistent and reliable; its information source must be independent and likely to produce high quality data over a number of years for measurement of long-term results
- Focus on results from work being done, not simply activity or resources expended
- Be clear about what represents “getting better” vs. “getting worse”
- Be understood by, and believable to, the whole community
The following criteria enhance the usefulness of an indicator. Although no indicator is likely to satisfy all of these additional criteria, an ideal indicator will also:
- Lead – i.e., warn of changes in advance of problems or progress
- Link to other indicators in a clear way; reveal systemic relationships
- Be comparable to similar indicators from other communities
- Speak to the full range of citizens in the community
- Be compelling, interesting, exciting; communicate information that resonates with intended audiences
- Lend itself to action, creativity, marketing
- Be able to attract the attention of the media
They also started research to identify valid indicators for the core health improvement areas, which was completed over the next several years.
What is the impact of determining Healthy Indicators so far?
Our own organization is better aligned for results. Major key partners have embraced the Healthy Indicator model and agreed to utilize changes in the Indicators as one measurement of their own agency effectiveness. Use of the language associated with outcomes measurement is more widespread…evidence of a cultural shift.
What are our next steps?
Today, we see the Healthy Indicators approach as a slightly less threatening and more objective way of mobilizing for change. We know that upstream funding decisions are sometimes at odds with community-based efforts, but we also realize that energy is born from chaos. Our efforts and those of our community partners will continue to try to focus on root causes, and we will continually re-evaluate to assure that the right issues and the right indicators are identified.
Paramount as always is our understanding that respectful relationships are essential to our work.
As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said:
"You must be the change you seek in this world."
Page updated: 07/10
