Research & Evaluation
Our Strategy
"The power to overturn long-standing, historical health inequalities lies inherently in Native communities themselves"
Community members guide us in all stages of research and evaluation, from planning to evaluation to dissemination
Core Values In Our Research and Evaluation Team
Empowerment
-
Our research is led by community members with lived experience
-
We seek to empower our partners with the data they need to lead change
-
We train community members in research and evaluation
Respect
-
We honor the fact that data belongs to Navajo Nation
-
We acknowledge our partners’ contributions to our work
-
We respect community consent by sharing information back
Learning
-
Our research ideas are generated through community listening
-
We are constantly learning from our partners and our data
Teamwork
-
Our research and evaluation team works closely with program staff and implementing partners in collaboration to demonstrate impact through evaluation of activities – collectively across COPE programs and externally with partners
-
Our team is here to answer questions that are meaningful to the community – our values are aligned by our community partners who guide our work
Commitment
-
COPE is a community-based participatory program committed to systems-levels long-term health changes and local-capacity building across Navajo Nation
-
We see program evaluation and research as a tool to catalyze and drive long-term change and impact through local-capacity building
-
We are committed to sharing findings back to the community and to bi-directional learning
Honesty
-
COPE engages with all levels of program stakeholders and partners to decide how and what information is collected, shared and disseminated
-
We let the community know what we’re doing at all stages of research and what program activities may not be feasible as well as maintain strong partnerships through the sharing of data
-
Maintain strong relationships with Navajo IRB and are guided and informed by NNHRRB’s leadership
Our Key Findings
Strengthening CHR Program and Health Systems
What We Evaluated:
Integrating CHRs with provider team and providing structured health outreach to individuals living with diabetes
What We Found:
Significant improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Greater utilization of primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy services
Stronger patient
self-reliance
Deeper collaboration and work satisfaction among clinic providers and CHRs
Publications
Food Systems Strengthening
What We Evaluated:
We evaluated the impact of the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on health outcomes, and the impact of the Healthy Navajo Store Initiative (HNSI) on access to healthy food and purchasing behavior
​
What We Found:
More children had healthy body mass index after completing in the FVRx Program
Both women and children reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption due to FVRx
Stores that took part in the HNSI had more fruit and vegetable promotion and local shoppers bought more fruits and vegetables at HNSI stores
Publications
Healthy Stores Initiative Associated with Produce Purchasing on Navajo Nation
published 11/7/2019