Activity

Communications for Behavior Change in the 21st Century: Improving the Health of Diverse Populations

Type:

Consensus Study

Topics:

Biomedical and Health Research, Public Health, Select Populations and Health Disparities

Boards:

Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health

Activity Description

A study committee was convened to analyze current theories and interventions to promote positive changes in health behaviors, especially among culturally and demographically diverse populations. The committee assessed three exemplars of health communication interventions as well as conducted a review of the state-of-the-art for public health interventions. Conclusions and recommendations focused on strategies to improve the effectiveness of current health communication intervention strategies as the nation moves into the 21st century. Particular attention was given to new technologies for communication interventions, ethical issues raised by such interventions, and variations in effectiveness of interventions across diverse populations.