What is an environmental scan in health promotion planning?

• A. An internal budget review of program costs.
• B. An analysis of external factors (policies, media, resources, political climate) that can enable or hinder a program.
• C. A clinical trial design.
• D. A survey of participant satisfaction.

Answer: (B)

An environmental scan in health promotion planning is the process of examining external factors that can influence a program’s success—things outside the organization such as policies, media coverage, available resources, and the political climate. By systematically gathering information about these external forces, planners can identify opportunities to leverage and threats to anticipate, shaping goals, strategies, and implementation to fit the real-world context. Internal budget reviews focus on costs within the organization, a clinical trial design is about testing interventions, and a survey of participant satisfaction measures program experience rather than the external environment.