Evaluating form and function of regional partnerships: applying social network analysis to the Network for a Healthy California, 2001-2007.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the partnership structure of the Network for a Healthy California (Network), a social marketing program, from 2001-2007, to determine if California's program was able to establish and maintain partnerships that (1) provided access to a local audience, (2) facilitated regional collaboration, (3) included new and nontraditional partners, and (4) strengthened regional networks over time, even with significant administrative changes in 2003 and 2006.

DESIGN

An outcome evaluation using 5 years of cross-sectional data.

SETTING

Data drawn from annual progress reports.

PARTICIPANTS

Funded local agencies and regional lead agencies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Regional sociograms offered a visual assessment. Social network statistics (fragmentation and density) were calculated from sociogram data for changes over time.

ANALYSIS

A social network analysis and time-series regression analysis.

RESULTS

Sociograms demonstrated that more counties participated, more local agencies worked together, and networks were more integrated in 2007 than in 2001. Increased cohesion of Network partners was demonstrated by decreased fragmentation, and reaching out to new and existing partners was demonstrated by density.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The Network developed in a way consistent with program goals. Social network analysis offers great potential for partnership and systems research.