The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59473

Robert J. Bensley, PhD¹, Ric Underhile, PhD², André C. de Jager, PhD³, Karen Bettin, MS, RD⁴, Nelda Mercer, MS, RD⁵, and John J. Brusk, MPH². (1) HPER, Western Michigan University, 4024 SRC, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, 269-387-3081, bensley@wmich.edu, (2) Office of Health Promotion and Education, Western Michigan University, Sindecuse Health Center, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, (3) Unit for Student Counselling, University of Port Elizabeth, P.O. Box 1600, Port Elizabeth, 6000, South Africa, (4) WIC Programs, Michigan Department of Community Health, 2150 Apollo Dr., Lansing, MI 48909, (5) WIC Programs, Consultant, Michigan Department of Community Health, 2150 Apollo Dr., Lansing, MI 48909

The advent of the Internet has increased the potential for providing a cost effective means for assisting individuals in primary and secondary prevention of negative health outcomes. In particular, the Internet provides an avenue for not only the delivery of health information, but a systematic approach for leading users through behavior change processes. The eHealth Behavior and Management Model, an Internet-based approach based on Persuasive Communication, Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model, and Behavioral Intent, uses a health counseling approach to move clients toward stage-specific information based on their focus of need and stage of readiness to change. Rather then a hierarchical menu-driven approach common with most existing health-related Internet approaches, this model focuses on a client-driven transactional response to aid in assisting clients progress from earlier stages of readiness to change toward an action oriented stage. Three demonstration projects, using different health behavior needs across distinct populations, are in the process of implementing this model: (1) www.wichealth.org—a parent oriented nutritional feeding behavior change project funded by the six-state Midwest Region for Women and Infant Children (WIC) Program, (2) The Asthma Management Demonstration Project—an employee chronic disease management program at Western Michigan University, and (3) eHealth Wellness Initiative—a wellness oriented behavior change project geared toward students at The University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Preliminary findings of www.wichealth.org provide support that this model may be an effective way in assisting clients progress from earlier stages of readiness to change to an action stage.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Identify ways in which an Internet-based approach can be used to influence health behavior change; (
• Apply behavioral theories and models to an Internet-based interactive health communication approach; (
• Describe how an Internet-based approach can be used to impact a wide range of health-related issues, including health promotion, chronic disease management, and wellness; across various target populations.

Keywords: Interactive Communication, Internet

Related Web page: www.wichealth.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Western Michigan University, University of Port Elizabeth, Women and Infant Children (WIC)
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.