Which term describes strategies that are grounded in research evidence?

• A. Evidence-based strategies.
• B. Anecdotal strategies.
• C. Tradition-based strategies.
• D. Ad hoc strategies.

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is using strategies that are grounded in research evidence. In health promotion, evidence-based strategies are those supported by rigorous studies, systematic reviews, and consistent findings across populations. They’re chosen because the data show they’re more likely to lead to real, measurable improvements, rather than relying on personal stories, tradition, or improvisation.

A strength of evidence-based strategies is that they rest on objective results from well-designed research, which helps ensure the approach is effective and safe. This is different from anecdotal strategies, which depend on one or a few experiences and may not apply broadly; tradition-based strategies, which rely on what has always been done without testing, and ad hoc strategies, which are improvised without evidence to support their effectiveness.

For example, implementing a smoking cessation program that has been shown effective in multiple randomized trials would be an evidence-based strategy.