Computer-based health promotion to change health behaviors and to overcome health literacy challenges

Abstract

Aims: Review innovations, test and compare evidences and discuss directions especially when using computer-based interventions. Rationale: Behavior change in health and illness are mainly related to innovations and their effectiveness. Thus is it important to discuss principles, theoretical approaches and avenues. Summary: Computer-based health promotion is an area concerned with the intersection of computing and health promotion. Key words like eHealth, iHealth, mHealth, ICT in medicine and health, online counseling, internet-based interventions, virtual interactive interventions are well known and widely applied to promote health. While increasing numbers of applications and studies are outperformed, it is important to review innovations, to test and compare their evidences and to discuss directions especially with low health literate populations. With this goal the symposium brings together experts from different continents presenting research from various settings and populations, debating about theoretical backdrops, mechanisms and moderators. Brian Oldenburg (AUS) evaluates an automated interactive telephone system, the Australian Diabetes Telephone-Linked Care (TLC), regarding the improvement of diabetes self-management. He shares the results on behavior change and HbA1c decrease. Wayne Velicer (USA) uses Relational Agents, computer-based virtual characters in an intervention. He reports on whether these Relational Agents can establish a continuing personal relationship and increase participant engagement. Hein deVries (NL) reviews results from different RCTs testing computer tailored technology including videos and games. He presents findings on changes in smoking, alcohol, nutrition, and physical activity when addressed separately as well as in combination. Lilian Lechner (NL) reports on effects of different theoretical approaches (ActivePlus vs. I Move). All interventions are tailored to the specific personal characteristics, needs and preferences of the individual user. The symposium chair Sonia Lippke (GER) invites the audience to discuss the value of these and other innovations, the need for specific evidences and future directions.