Rethinking public health using behavioural science

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 612-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hallsworth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Behavioural Science

Protocol CHARIS study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal den Daas ◽  
Gill Hubbard ◽  
Marie Johnston ◽  
Diane Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Health ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Detailed Measurement ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Core ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Core Survey

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedented consequences on population health, with governments worldwide issuing public health directives which have major impacts on normal living. In the absence of a vaccine, a key way to control the pandemic is through behavioural change: people adhering to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs), such as physical distancing, regular hand washing, and wearing face covering, especially when physical distancing is difficult. The application of behavioural science is central to understanding factors that influence adherence to TRBs. Non-adherence may be explained by theories of how people think about the illness (the common-sense model of self-regulation) and/or how they think about the TRBs (social cognition theory and protection motivation theory). In addition, outbreaks of infectious diseases and the measures employed to curb them are likely to have detrimental effects on people’s mental and general health. Therefore, in representative repeated surveys we will apply behavioural theories to model adherence to TRBs, explain variations in adherence, and the effects on mental and general health in the Scottish population from June to November 2020, following the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRepeated 20-minute structured telephone surveys will be conducted with nationally representative random samples of 500 adults from throughout Scotland. The first 6 weeks the survey will be conducted weekly, thereafter fortnightly, for a total of 14 waves (total n=7000). Ipsos MORI will recruit participants through random digit dialling. The core survey will measure adherence to TRBs, mental and general health, and explanatory variables from the theories. Further questions will be added, enabling more detailed measurement of constructs in the core survey, additional themes, and questions that align with the evolving pandemic. DiscussionThis study will provide insights into the link between (changes in) adherence to TRBs and explanatory factors, and their effects on mental and general health, including event-related changes (e.g., when government directives change). Governments and other decision-makers may use these findings to tailor public health promotion, target specific population groups, and develop behaviourally informed interventions over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (along with any subsequent equivalent events) to protect health and limit the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Applying translational behavioural science to improve people’s health

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Nagyova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Change Models ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Behavioural Aspects

Abstract Background The rising burden of chronic diseases poses a challenge for the whole public health system, and to deal with this we need to address the socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioural aspects of health and its determinants. While a change in individual 'lifestyle' factors, such as diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol are often the target of intervention design, there needs to be an acknowledgement that behavioural science is much more than just 'lifestyle choice' on the individual level. Governments worldwide are increasingly incorporating the behavioural insights approach into policymaking. There has been an increasing interest in 'choice architecture' and 'nudging' to facilitate behaviour (change), often by manipulating elements of the environment. Designing interventions that target the most important determinants of behaviour, based on research evidence in the field of behavioural science, provide the best chance of changing behaviour and demonstrating a positive impact in terms of health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. However, knowing what works and how to apply it presents an ongoing challenge. Results The COM-B, EAST, and MOST are behaviour change models that were built on an impressive effort to synthesize available evidence regarding intervention development frameworks, behaviour change theories, and behaviour change techniques. They tackle determinants of behaviour in terms of capability, opportunity, and motivation on the level of the individual (micro level), alongside ways in which to intervene, at mezzo level (intervention functions) and macro level (policy categories). Conclusions These approaches take a holistic view of interventions and can contribute to the development of new scientific knowledge regarding mechanisms underlying effective knowledge mobilization in behaviour change. They are also expected to further support the adoption of the evidence-based practices within the field of public health.

scholarly journals Behavioural Science Principles for Enhancing Adherence to Public Health Measures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Desveaux ◽  
Rhiannon Mosher ◽  
Judy L. Buchan ◽  
Rachel Burns ◽  
Kimberly M. Corace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Health Measures

The science of getting people to start something new is different from the science of getting them to continue positive behaviours. Amid rising rates of new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, Ontario needs a refreshed approach to maintaining and enhancing adherence to public health measures. Promising strategies to increase effective masking and physical distancing include persuasion, enablement, modelling the behaviour, and clear education.

Using behavioural science to develop public health messages for racial and ethnic minority communities during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atiya Kamal ◽  
James Rubin ◽  
M. Brooke Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Minority Communities ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority

A behavioural science framework can be used to develop health messages for racial and ethnic minority communities which incorporate cultural influences on behaviour. To increase knowledge, translation of health messages into suitable languages is necessary, but not sufficient. Co-production and pre-testing of messages with the target community can identify language that retains the public health meaning and considers the cultural context. Written and verbal health messages shared via different modes of delivery can accommodate different health literacy needs.Messages should be tailored to local needs, services and resources, and ensure compliance does not disadvantage the community. Active engagement with communities will identify local barriers and facilitators and build trust with community partners and trusted communicators. Health messages should be linked with relevant social identities. Fear-inducing messages should be avoided as even when health messages are understood, environmental stressors may exist that are beyond the control of individuals.

scholarly journals Bringing new HIV infections to zero – opportunities and challenges offered by antiretroviral-based prevention in Asia, the Pacific and beyond: An overview of this special issue

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Iryna B. Zablotska ◽  
Bill Whittaker ◽  
John de Wit ◽  
Adeeba Kamarulzaman ◽  
Jintanat Ananworanich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
Prevention Research ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Prevention Of Hiv

This editorial to the special issue of Sexual Health on antiretroviral-based prevention of HIV infection is dedicated to showcasing research and practice in this area. It aims to promote debate regarding the potential of new antiretroviral-based prevention approaches and the challenges encountered in moving prevention innovations into the community. This special issue covers the breadth of innovative HIV prevention research, including that undertaken in the fields of epidemiology, clinical research, social and behavioural science, public health and policy analysis, and with special emphasis on Asia and the Pacific region. Most importantly, it provides an indication of how the region is progressing towards embracing new prevention approaches to combat HIV epidemics across the region.

scholarly journals Applying behavioural science to issues of public health in South Africa: The case for social norms intervention

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (5/6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Ganz ◽  
Fergus G. Neville ◽  
Catherine L. Ward ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Randomised Controlled

In the effort to address behavioural risk factors – which contribute significantly to the global burden of disease – there is a growing movement in public health towards the use of interventions informed by behavioural science. These interventions have the benefit of being amenable to testing in randomised controlled trials, are cost-effective and, when scaled up, can have significant public health benefits. A subset of these interventions attempts to change behaviour by shifting social norms perception (what I think everyone else does and thinks). We surveyed the work on social norms intervention and considered its applicability to issues of public health in South Africa. Social norms interventions have widespread and significant potential to address issues of public health in South Africa; policymakers should look to these interventions as cost-effective tools to address key issues. More broadly, we advocate for an expansion of the use of behavioural science in developing public policy in South Africa.

Behavioural science in public health policy

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-144
Author(s):  
Ronny Cheung ◽  
Antonella Ardolino
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Behavioural Science
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