American journal of preventive medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Preventive Health Behavior Change Text Message Interventions: A Meta-analysis.
Existing evidence shows that text message interventions can produce short-term health behavior change. However, understanding is limited regarding intervention characteristics moderating this effect or the long-term effectiveness of text message interventions on behavior change after contact stops. ⋯ Text message interventions are capable of producing positive change in preventive health behaviors. Preliminary evidence indicates that these effects can be maintained after the intervention stops. The moderator analysis findings are at odds with previous research, suggesting a need to examine moderators at the behavior-specific level.
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Physical activity has many benefits for older adult physical and mental health. Enhance®Fitness (EF) is an evidence-based group exercise program delivered by community-based organizations. The purpose of this study was to review recent evidence on the dissemination and implementation of EF. ⋯ More-rigorous evidence is needed about the association between participation in EF and conditions such as falls. Evaluation of program fidelity, adaptations, and sustainability is limited; more-systematic examination across population groups and types of organizations would help ensure older adults continue to benefit from EF participation.
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A recently updated Community Guide systematic review of the effectiveness of school sealant programs (SSPs) still found strong evidence that SSPs reduced dental caries among schoolchildren. This follow-up systematic review updates SSP cost and benefit information from the original 2002 review. ⋯ Recent evidence indicates the benefits of SSPs exceed their costs when SSPs target schools attended by a large number of high-risk children.
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Hearing loss and tinnitus are common in most populations, although few data have addressed hearing-related health among tribal members and the need for public health interventions. ⋯ Increasing age and significant noise exposure were associated with hearing loss in this tribe. Tinnitus was associated with significant noise exposure and history of otitis media, even after age adjustment. Public health efforts are needed to improve hearing-related health in this tribe through messages about noise exposure and use of hearing protection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Chinese Americans: Efficacy of Lay Health Worker Outreach and Print Materials.
Chinese Americans have low colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. Evidence-based interventions to increase CRC screening in this population are lacking. This study aims to compare the efficacy of two interventions in increasing CRC screening among Chinese Americans. ⋯ Both in-language print materials and LHW outreach plus print materials increased CRC screening among Chinese Americans. The combination of LHW+Print was more effective than Print alone. These findings can guide clinicians and policymakers in choosing appropriate interventions to increase CRC screening among Chinese American immigrants.