Community Interventions for Health (CIH): A novel approach to tackling the worldwide epidemic of chronic diseases

Community Interventions for Health (CIH) is a 3 year pilot study focusing on testing chronic disease prevention activities in developing country settings. CIH uses structural interventions and community mobilization, supported by health education and social marketing/media. The activities of CIH are pervasive throughout defined community settings using schools, work places, health care settings, and the community at large to create sustainable change. CIH seeks to: (1) assess the impact of the interventions on individuals and on the community, (2) assess the best methods for intervention implementation, (3) identify adaptations needed for global replication, and (4) identify community-specific barriers and facilitators to change. Additionally, the CIH study provides the larger medical and public health community with research and evaluation tools and methodology, including context assessment manuals, environmental scan tools and processes, and adaptations for developing country settings. CIH is building a large dataset of common measures across countries that may be used to inform local and national policies and practices. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a several year planning process that includes a theoretical framework and study design that highlights the key elements of conducting complex community interventions in developing country settings.