Theories can be combined within one level, or across levels of practice. Thus, a cancer control program using the locality development model of Community Organization theory could employ skill development strategies suggested by Social Learning theory. Further, those skill development strategies could be phased in, thus designed to help move a wide variety of community dwellers through the Stages of Change. Although health behavior theories are critical tools, the health educator cannot substitute theory for planning or research. However, theories help us interpret problem situations and plan feasible interventions.
Theory also plays an important role in program evaluation.
Because it identifies the assumptions behind intervention strategies, it helps pinpoint intermediate steps that should be assessed in evaluation. While theory alone does not produce effective programs, research, planning, implementing, and monitoring do. Social Marketing Social Marketing is a process to develop, implement, evaluate, and control behavior change programs by creating and maintaining exchanges, such as volunteer time for community recognition or individual effort for the health of future generations. Marketing facilitates the exchange by providing the audience with benefits they value as being worth the cost-does so in a way that allows the marketer to continue to provide and improve that offering, and does so efficiently. The exchange satisfies the customer and the marketer.