Difficulties in Evaluating Public Affairs Government-Wide and at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

In order to test the effectiveness of a major public information program, GAO addressed the following: problems and concerns with the lack of uniform definitions concerning public affairs, information dissemination, education, and advertising; management of public affairs within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW); and management of selected health education efforts. The management of two nationwide campaigns, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program and the new Smoking and Health Initiative program, is examined. The questions that need to be answered before undertaking a campaign are as follows: how does each funding request relate to the past and future efforts; what determines the amount of advertising to be used; and what management structures have been considered to achieve program objectives more effectively. Government agencies do not always define what is involved in public affairs, and are not consistent in reporting and evaluating their public affairs costs.