The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38451

Rebekah K. Hersch, PhD, ISA Associates, Inc, 201 North Pickett Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703/739-0880, rhersch@isagroup.com and Royer F. Cook, PhD, ISA Associates, Inc., 201 North Union Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Reduction in the consumption of dietary fat, tobacco, and alcohol hold great promise for cancer and other disease prevention. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of programs available that are theoretically sound, include multiple risk behaviors, use interactive multimedia technology, and can be tailored to the individual. To fill that gap, ISA Associates developed and tested a computer-based program designed to reduce user’s consumption of dietary fat, tobacco, and alcohol. The multimedia program entitled, Pathways to Health, is based on social learning theory and includes video vignettes, testimonials, and information from physicians on the benefits of health behaviors. Each of the three modules, Fat Smart, Alcohol Savvy, and Tobacco Free allow users to: 1) assess their current health behaviors, 2) learn why changing to more healthful behaviors is important, and 3) design specific strategies for changing their health behaviors. The program was field tested in a workplace setting using a pretest/posttest, randomized design. All participants completed surveys assessing Outlook on Health, Cigarette Use, Alcohol Use Practices and Attitudes, and Dietary Attitudes and Behaviors. The Pathways program resulted in positive progress on participants’ outlook on health and alcohol attitudes scales. Most importantly, significant program effects were found with respect to improved dietary practices and the extent to which the program motivated participants to examine their dietary fat consumption and adopt a lower-fat diet. The presentation will describe the Pathways to Health program and the field test and provide information on implementing computer-based health promotion in the workplace.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Recognize the benefits of computer-based programs for health behavior change
• Describe the positive impacts of the Pathways to Health program on disease risk behaviors such as dietary practices and alcohol use attitudes.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Communication Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by and I am an officer of the organization that developed the program being presented.