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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Cassandra Harris, MS, CHES, Public Education Office, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Box 229, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, 713-792-3363, clharris@mdanderson.org
Scientific evidence suggests that about one third of cancer deaths are related to diet and other lifestyle factors. The introduction of healthful diet and lifestyle practices at anytime from childhood to old age can promote health and probably reduce cancer risks. The Good Living Mall, an interactive cancer awareness computer program, funded by the Houston Health Department, was developed by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to increase cancer knowledge and awareness among inner-city high school students. The Good Living Mall, accessed via the Internet includes a pre-test, five interactive presentations and a post-test. Presentation topics include: Cancer, nutrition, exercise, tobacco awareness and sun protection. From the web site, students work independently to navigate through the program and receive instant feedback on their responses. A total of 957 students from three Houston area high schools participated in the program. Seventy-three percent of the students showed an increase in knowledge with an 11% overall increase. The Good Living Mall was well received by students and school staff. Students also shared what they liked about the program and how important the information was to them and their families. Some of the biggest choices teens make are those that affect their health. Now is the time to challenge teens to make cancer risks reduction choices. The Good Living Mall is an excellent teaching tool for cancer prevention among teens. The program can be easily replicated and is available to any group interested in helping teens establish behaviors to reduce their cancer risks.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Cancer Prevention, School Health Educators
Related Web page: www.mdanderson.org/goodlivingmall
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.