What is the 5 A Day Programs Behavioral Research and Evaluation component?
Since 1992, NCI’s 5 A Day Program funded research grant projects and overall program evaluation, including process and outcome evaluation. Current data show a favorable trend in awareness of the need to eat “5 a day.” Awareness has increased from 8% in 1991 to 19% in 1997 (NCI 5 A Day for Better Health Program Survey). In 1993, NCI funded 9 four-year Research Project Grants with randomized controlled designs to determine the effectiveness of 5 A Day behavior change interventions in settings including: schools, worksites, churches, and food assistance programs. In addition, the 5 A Day Program collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award 20 one-year 5 A Day Evaluation Studies to state health agencies. Most of these grants targeted underserved populations: children, low-income, minority, and low-income elderly.
