CH 8: Interventions HSC 489

Interventions Sometimes referred to as the treatment An activity or set of activities before the pre- and post-measurements Permits the most effective and efficient achievement of G & O What the priority population is exposed to/or takes part in

Creating HP Interventions 1987, APHA & CDC-Center for Health Promotion/Health Education developed guidelines: Address 1 or more risk factors Consider characteristics of target group Reduce a target risk factor Make optimum use of available resources Planned for evaluation

Major Considerations in Designing Interventions 1. Does it match my goals/objectives? 2. At what level of prevention? Primary Secondary Tertiary

Major Considerations in Designing Interventions (cont.) 3. Level of influence? *Intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional/org., comm., public policy 4. Strategies based on appropriate theory? 5. Appropriate fit for population? 6. Do you have the resources? 7. Type of interventions strategies know to be effective? 8. Do I need single or multiple activities (i.e., how many doses)?

Selecting Interventions Several activities are better than one (again multiple dose) “Hit” the population from different angles/through multiple channels Still a best guess situation

Types of Intervention Strategies Health Communication Health Education Policy/Enforcement Engineering Community Service Community Mobilization (Advocacy) Communication -- most versatile category Used to market program and also to educate target pop. about topic Can increase awareness or knowledge or be a cue to action (Do you...?) Allows for macro approach: reaches broad audience Examples: pamphlets, newspaper article or ad, sidewalk chalk, radio, Educational Often happens in classes, seminars, workshopsSee Figure 8.4 in text Usually has formal methods: lecture, discussion, group work, projects Behavior modification usually interpersonal (1-on-1) - e.g. personal trainers, counseling has rewards/incentives and accountability measures (beh. Change contracts, charts, reports, mid-course measurements of weight, etc.…) Environmental (Organizational, Regulatory - EVEN CULTURAL) : legal, social, economical, physical - could be a campaign or plan to get things changed (food in cafeteria, smoke-free city, $ for health insurance, safe place to dance, laws against drunk-driving, changing what’s cool and isn’t) Community advocacy - getting people involved in institutions and decisions that impact lives - e.g., forming a Citizens for cleaner streets or MADD group

Other Types of Intervention Strategies Behavior Modification Org. Culture Activities Incentives/ Disincentives Social Activities

Cultural Appropriateness Use a multilevel approach Accurate translation Organize activities around recreation/leisure Use creative approaches Personalize the delivery Utilize positive role models Use clear and simple messages