ABSTRACT
Most health behaviors are influenced by a complex array of factors operating at multiple levels within a social ecological system, including individual, interpersonal, family, organizational, inter-organizational/network, community, and societal levels. Positive and widespread change in behaviors requires effective implementation of intentionally coordinated, evidence-informed interventions that promote behavioral and environmental changes at a population level (Green et al., 1996; Edwards et al., 2004). These population interventions span health and non-health sectors and multiple settings (e.g. workplaces, schools, communities) and jurisdictions (e.g. local, provincial/territorial, national). They also require coordinated efforts from research, policy, and practice perspectives. The design and implementation of population health interventions therefore require active engagement of organizations and sectors working together in different forms (Crilly et al., 2010) and provide a rationale for the importance of partnerships (Best, Stokols, et al., 2003).
