Health Information Technology
Longer-Term Efficacy of a Digital Life-Skills Training for Substance Use Prevention
The main objective of this study was to test the longer-term and differential efficacy of a mobile phone‒based life-skills training program designed to prevent substance use among adolescents.Telemedicine Familiarity and Post-Disaster Utilization of Emergency and Hospital Services for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions
In this study, we examined the association between telemedicine use before a disaster and utilization of emergency or hospital services for ambulatory care sensitive conditions post-disaster.Medical Assistant Protocol Improves Disparities in Depression Screening Rates
Depression is a prevalent condition for which screening rates remain low and disparities in screening exist. This study examines the impacts of a medical assistant screening protocol on the rates of depression screening, overall and by sociodemographic groups, in a primary care setting.Optimizing Texting Interventions for Melanoma Prevention and Early Detection: A Latin Square Crossover RCT
Text messaging is an effective way to reach large populations with health promotion support. This study aims to establish the optimal text messaging intervention to achieve behavior change in young adults at risk of skin cancer.Use of Machine Learning to Determine the Information Value of a BMI Screening Program
Childhood obesity continues to be a significant public health issue in the U.S. and is associated with short- and long-term adverse health outcomes. A number of states have implemented school-based BMI screening programs. However, these programs have been criticized for not being effective in improving students’ BMI or reducing childhood obesity. One potential benefit, however, of screening programs is the identification of younger children at risk of obesity as they age.Adding Financial Incentives to Online Group-Based Behavioral Weight Control: An RCT
Internet-delivered behavioral weight control is promising for expanding the reach and availability of weight management, but online programs produce lower weight losses than typically achieved in person. Financial incentives have been shown to increase weight losses. This study examined whether adding financial incentives for self-monitoring and achieving target weight losses increases weight losses attained in a fully online, group-based behavioral weight management program compared with the same program alone.Assessing an App-Based Child Restraint System Use Intervention in China: An RCT
While child restraint systems are effective in protecting children from crash-related injuries and deaths, their use in China is extremely low. This study assessed the effectiveness of child restraint system education with and without behavioral skills training on improved use and explored participants’ views regarding content and delivery of an onsite intervention and online (WeChat) boosters.Efficacy of an m-Health Physical Activity and Sleep Health Intervention for Adults: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial
Interventions that improve both physical activity and sleep quality may be more effective in improving overall health. The purpose of the Synergy Study is to test the efficacy of a mobile health combined behavior intervention targeting physical activity and sleep quality.Novel Smartphone Game Improves Physical Activity Behavior in Type 2 Diabetes
Many type 2 diabetes patients show insufficient levels of physical activity and are often unmotivated to change physical activity behaviors. This study investigated whether a newly developed smartphone game delivering individualized exercise and physical activity promotion through an elaborate storyline can generate sustained improvements in daily physical activity (steps/day).A Machine Learning Approach to Identify NIH-Funded Applied Prevention Research
To fulfill its mission, the NIH Office of Disease Prevention systematically monitors NIH investments in applied prevention research. Specifically, the Office focuses on research in humans involving primary and secondary prevention, and prevention-related methods. Currently, the NIH uses the Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization system to report agency funding in prevention research. However, this system defines prevention research broadly to include primary and secondary prevention, studies on prevention methods, and basic and preclinical studies for prevention.Effectiveness of an App and Provider Counseling for Obesity Treatment in Primary Care
Obesity treatment is less successful for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, particularly when delivered in primary care. Digital health strategies can extend the reach of clinical obesity treatments to care settings serving patients at highest risk.Health Warning Labels Correct Parents’ Misperceptions About Sugary Drink Options
Noncarbonated sugar-sweetened beverages, such as fruit drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened teas are increasingly promoted to and consumed by youth. These beverages may be perceived as healthier options than soda. To educate consumers about beverages high in added sugar, several cities and states have proposed policies mandating health warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages.Results of an RCT in Two Pediatric Emergency Departments to Evaluate the Efficacy of an m-Health Educational App on Car Seat Use
The growing interest in incorporating prevention into emergency health care make it timely to examine the use of computer technology to efficiently deliver effective education in this setting.Effectiveness of User- and Expert-Driven Web-based Hypertension Programs: an RCT
The effectiveness of self-guided Internet-based lifestyle counseling (e-counseling) varies, depending on treatment protocol. Two dominant procedures in e-counseling are expert- and user-driven. The influence of these procedures on hypertension management remains unclear. The objective was to assess whether blood pressure improved with expert-driven or user-driven e-counseling over control intervention in patients with hypertension over a 4-month period.Measures of SES for Electronic Health Record-based Research
Although infrequently recorded in electronic health records (EHRs), measures of SES are essential to describe health inequalities and account for confounding in epidemiologic research. Medical Assistance (i.e., Medicaid) is often used as a surrogate for SES, but correspondence between conventional SES and Medical Assistance has been insufficiently studied.Engaging Patients in Decisions About Cancer Screening: Exploring the Decision Journey Through the Use of a Patient Portal
Engaging patients to make informed choices is paramount but difficult in busy practices. This study sought to engage patients outside the clinical setting to better understand how they approach cancer screening decisions, including their primary concerns and their preferences for finalizing their decision.An Electronic Health Record−Based Strategy to Address Child Tobacco Smoke Exposure
A high proportion of children presenting to pediatric urgent cares are exposed to tobacco smoke. An electronic health record−based clinical decision support system for nurses to facilitate guideline-based tobacco smoke exposure screening and counseling for caregivers who smoke was designed and evaluated.Text4baby Influenza Messaging and Influenza Vaccination Among Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are at risk for severe influenza-related complications; however, only 52% reported receiving an influenza vaccination during the 2013–2014 influenza season. Text4baby, a free national text service, provides influenza vaccination education and reminders to pregnant women. This study examined reported influenza vaccination during pregnancy among Text4baby participants who reported receiving influenza messages and women who reported never participating in Text4baby.The Longitudinal Impact of an Internet Safety Decision Aid for Abused Women
Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) navigate complex, dangerous decisions. Tailored safety information and safety planning, typically provided by domestic violence service providers, can prevent repeat IPV exposure and associated adverse health outcomes; however, few abused women access these services. The Internet represents a potentially innovative way to connect abused women with tailored safety planning resources and information. The purpose of this study was to compare safety and mental health outcomes at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months among abused women randomized to: (1) a tailored, Internet-based safety decision aid; or (2) control website (typical safety information available online).Disclosing Genetic Risk for Coronary Heart Disease: Attitudes Toward Personal Information in Health Records
Incorporating genetic risk information in electronic health records (EHRs) will facilitate implementation of genomic medicine in clinical practice. However, little is known about patients’ attitudes toward incorporation of genetic risk information as a component of personal health information in EHRs. This study investigated whether disclosure of a genetic risk score (GRS) for coronary heart disease influences attitudes toward incorporation of personal health information including genetic risk in EHRs.Street Connectivity and Obesity Risk: Evidence From Electronic Health Records
This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using electronic health record (EHR) data from a federally qualified health center (FQHC) to assess the association between street connectivity, a measure of walkability for the local environment, and BMI obtained from EHRs.Understanding and Promoting Effective Engagement With Digital Behavior Change Interventions
This paper is one in a series developed through a process of expert consensus to provide an overview of questions of current importance in research into engagement with digital behavior change interventions, identifying guidance based on research to date and priority topics for future research. The first part of this paper critically reflects on current approaches to conceptualizing and measuring engagement. Next, issues relevant to promoting effective engagement are discussed, including how best to tailor to individual needs and combine digital and human support.Technology- and Phone-Based Weight Loss Intervention: Pilot RCT in Women at Elevated Breast Cancer Risk
For women with an increased breast cancer risk, reducing excess weight and increasing physical activity are believed to be important approaches for reducing their risk. This study tested a weight loss intervention that combined commercially available technology-based self-monitoring tools with individualized phone calls.“Spatial Energetics”: Integrating Data From GPS, Accelerometry, and GIS to Address Obesity and Inactivity
To address the current obesity and inactivity epidemics, public health researchers have attempted to identify spatial factors that influence physical inactivity and obesity. Technologic and methodologic developments have led to a revolutionary ability to examine dynamic, high-resolution measures of temporally matched location and behavior data through GPS, accelerometry, and GIS. These advances allow the investigation of spatial energetics, high–spatiotemporal resolution data on location and time-matched energetics, to examine how environmental characteristics, space, and time are linked to activity-related health behaviors with far more robust and detailed data than in previous work.Improving Sickle Cell Transitions of Care Through Health Information Technology
Transitions between inpatient and outpatient care and pediatric to adult care are associated with increased mortality for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. As accurate and timely sharing of health information is essential during transitions, a health information technology (HIT)-enabled tool holds promise to improve care transitions.
