Behavior Matters

Abstract

Behavior has a broad and central role in health. Behavioral interventions can be effectively used to prevent disease, improve management of existing disease, increase quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs. A summary is presented of evidence for these conclusions in cardiovascular disease/diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS as well as with key risk factors: tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption. For each, documentation is made of (1) moderation of genetic and other fundamental biological influences by behaviors and social–environmental factors, (2) impacts of behaviors on health, (3) success of behavioral interventions in prevention, (4) disease management, (5) and quality of life, and (6) improvements in the health of populations through behavioral health promotion programs. Evidence indicates the cost effectiveness and value of behavioral interventions, especially relative to other common health services, as well as the value they add in terms of quality of life. Pertinent to clinicians and their patients as well as to health policy and population health, the benefits of behavioral interventions extend beyond impacts on a particular disease or risk factor. Rather, they include broad effects and benefits on prevention, disease management, and well-being across the life span. Among priorities for dissemination research, the application of behavioral approaches is challenged by diverse barriers, including socioeconomic barriers linked to health disparities. However, behavioral approaches including those emphasizing community and social influences appear to be useful in addressing such challenges. In sum, behavioral approaches should have a central place in prevention and health care of the 21st century.

A systematic review of single health behavior change interventions vs. multiple health behavior change interventions among older adults

“…To our knowledge, this is the first review to attempt to compare SHBC interventions to MHBC interventions among older adults. The idea of identifying which type of intervention (SHBC vs. MHBC) is most effective among older adult populations has been alluded to in several studies [9,22,25]. Our preliminary findings show that there were substantially more (>4 times) positive SHBC intervention behavior changes than MHBC interventions behavior changes identified, while the number of negative SHBC interventions behavior changes was higher than the number of negative MHBC interventions (2:1 ratio).…”

Gone exercising: Mental contrasting promotes physical activity among overweight, middle-aged, low-SES fishermen.

“…Regular physical activity is known to reduce mortality and morbidity from many chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, hip fractures, high blood pressure, and obesity (e.g., Fisher et al, 2011;Mokdad, Marks, Stroup & Gerberding, 2004; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996[USDHHS], , 2002. Physical activity benefits not only individuals' health but also their well-being (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 1996), and reduces the financial burden on health care systems (USDHHS, 2002) and the wider economy (e.g., Opatz, 1994).…”

Patient-Reported Measures Of Psychosocial Issues And Health Behavior Should Be Added To Electronic Health Records

“…Smoking is actionable-that is, researchers have identified effective, feasible, evidence-based interventions to address it-and treatments for tobacco have been shown to be cost-effective in influential clinical guidelines reviews and compelling research. 15,16 Thus, ascertaining whether someone smokes has increasingly been accepted by most health care organizations as one of the many "vital signs" for which patients should be checked. As a result, many medical offices have panel or population-based data on the smoking status of their patients.…”