Intermediate outcomes refer to what type of changes?

Intermediate outcomes are pivotal in health education and promotion as they bridge the gap between initial interventions and long-term effects. They specifically refer to changes in behavior or policy that are necessary for achieving ultimate health outcomes.

By focusing on behavior or policy changes, intermediate outcomes provide measurable indicators that can be assessed during or after a health intervention. For instance, if a program aims to reduce smoking rates, an intermediate outcome would be an increase in individuals reporting a reduction in smoking frequency or changes in policies that regulate smoking in public areas. These changes indicate progress towards the ultimate goal of improving health status, which could be reflected in morbidity and mortality rates over time.

Other choices presented do not align with the definition of intermediate outcomes. While changes in community resources and knowledge are important, they are considered foundational or initial outcomes that set the stage for behavior change. Direct impacts on morbidity and mortality are long-term outcomes that result from a series of intermediate outcomes.