“Effective public health, health promotion, and chronic disease management programs … can improve the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Usually, such successes require behavior change at many levels, (e.g., individual, organizational, and community).

Not all health programs and initiatives are equally successful, however. Those most likely to achieve desired outcomes are based on a clear understanding of targeted health behaviors, and the environmental context in which they occur. Practitioners use strategic planning models to develop and manage these programs, and continually improve them through meaningful evaluation. Health behavior theory can play a critical role throughout the program planning process.”

Theory at a Glance, A Guide for Health Promotion Practice, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 2005, p. 4.