Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100028

Amy S. Billing, MSSA¹, Nancy L. Atkinson, PhD¹, and Robert S. Gold, PhD, DrPH². (1) Public Health Informatics Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Department of Public and Community Health, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742-2611, 301-405-2468, billing@umd.edu, (2) Public Health Informatics Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Department of Public and Community Health, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742-2611

The University of Maryland's Public Health Informatics Research Laboratory and Maryland Cooperative Extension have collaborated on a demonstration project to test the effectiveness of three strategies in promoting an online community health intervention. These strategies incorporate use of the ‘Eat Smart, Be Fit, Maryland!' website, which was developed as part of this project to promote positive nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Strategies include: 1) a household intervention where families are provided with computer and Internet access to use the website in their homes; 2) a community based intervention where residents access the website at public computer labs; and 3) a community communication campaign to advertise the website and disseminate public health education messages. These strategies were implemented in three experimental counties and compared to two control counties. The project intervention strategies were developed following a comprehensive assessment of community needs and strengths, as well as concept and message testing, and will incorporate evaluation components. This presentation will provide an in-depth view of the strategies implemented, their advantages and disadvantages, and the response received from our target population to them. We will present preliminary results of a 29-item health assessment survey comparing nutrition, physical activity, and food budgeting behaviors among users in the experimental counties (collected online) and non-users in the control counties (collected via paper/pencil). Using the results of this survey, website usage statistics, and qualitative experiences, an analysis of the effectiveness of the three interventions will be provided. Finally, overall lessons learned from this implementation phase will be discussed.

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

• Identify at least three strategies for promoting an online health education intervention.
• Develop a communication campaign to promote a health intervention in a rural community.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based program to promote behavior change within a targeted population.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Internet

Related Web page: www.eatsmart.umd.edu/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.