Countermarketing About Fruit Drinks, Alone or With Water Promotion: A 2019 Randomized Controlled Trial in Latinx Parents

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e11
Author(s):  
James Krieger ◽  
Taehoon Kwon ◽  
Rudy Ruiz ◽  
Lina Pinero Walkinshaw ◽  
Jiali Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Car Seat ◽  
Media Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Fruit Drink

Objectives. To test whether fruit drink countermarketing messages alone or combined with water promotion messages reduce Latinx parents’ purchases of fruit drinks for children aged 0 to 5 years. Methods. We performed a 3-arm randomized controlled online trial enrolling 1628 Latinx parents in the United States during October and November 2019. We assessed the effect of culturally tailored fruit drink countermarketing messages (fruit drink‒only group), countermarketing and water promotion messages combined (combination group), or car-seat safety messages (control) delivered via Facebook groups for 6 weeks on parental beverage choices from a simulated online store. Results. The proportion of parents choosing fruit drinks decreased by 13.7 percentage points in the fruit drink‒only group (95% confidence interval [CI] = −20.0, −7.4; P < .001) and by 19.2 percentage points in the combination group (95% CI = −25.0, −13.4; P < .001) relative to control. Water selection increased in both groups. Conclusions. Fruit drink countermarketing messages, alone or combined with water promotion messages, significantly decreased parental selection of fruit drinks and increased water selection for their children. Public Health Implications. Countermarketing social media messages may be an effective and low-cost intervention for reducing parents’ fruit drink purchases for their children. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 28, 2021:e1–e11. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306488 )

Summer jobs reduce violence among disadvantaged youth

Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 346 (6214) ◽  
pp. 1219-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara B. Heller
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Disadvantaged Youth ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
School Youth

Every day, acts of violence injure more than 6000 people in the United States. Despite decades of social science arguing that joblessness among disadvantaged youth is a key cause of violent offending, programs to remedy youth unemployment do not consistently reduce delinquency. This study tests whether summer jobs, which shift focus from remediation to prevention, can reduce crime. In a randomized controlled trial among 1634 disadvantaged high school youth in Chicago, assignment to a summer jobs program decreases violence by 43% over 16 months (3.95 fewer violent-crime arrests per 100 youth). The decline occurs largely after the 8-week intervention ends. The results suggest the promise of using low-cost, well-targeted programs to generate meaningful behavioral change, even with a problem as complex as youth violence.

scholarly journals Effects of Side-Effect Risk Framing Strategies on COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions in the United States and the United Kingdom: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikkil Sudharsanan ◽  
Caterina Favaretti ◽  
Violetta Hachaturyan ◽  
Till Baernighausen ◽  
Alain Vandormael
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Framing Strategies

Vaccination rates have stagnated in the United States and the United Kingdom leading to the continuing spread of COVID-19. Fear and concern over vaccine side-effects is one of the main drivers of hesitancy. Drawing from behavioral science and health communication theory, we conducted a randomized controlled trial among 8998 adults to determine whether the way COVID-19 vaccine side-effects are framed and presented to individuals can influence their willingness to take a vaccine. We presented participants information on a hypothetical future COVID-19 vaccine -- including information on its side-effect rate -- and then examined the effect of three side-effect framing strategies on individuals stated willingness to take this vaccine: adding a qualitative risk label next to the numerical risk, adding comparison risks, and for those presented with comparisons, framing the comparison in relative rather than absolute terms. Based on a pre-registered and published analysis plan, we found that adding a simple descriptive risk label (very low risk) next to the numerical side-effect increased participants' willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine by 3.0 percentage points (p = 0.003). Providing a comparison to motor vehicle mortality increased COVID-19 vaccine willingness by 2.4 percentage points (p = 0.051). These effects were independent and additive: participants that received both a qualitative risk label and comparison to motor-vehicle mortality were 6.1 percentage points (p < 0.001) more likely to report willingness to take a vaccine compared to those who did not receive a label or comparison. Taken together, our results reveal that despite increasingly strong vaccination hesitancy and exposure to large amounts of vaccine misinformation, low-cost side-effect framing strategies can meaningfully affect vaccination intentions at a population level.

scholarly journals Adaptive Physical Activity for Stroke: An Early-Stage Randomized Controlled Trial in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 668-680
Author(s):  
Mary Stuart ◽  
Alexander W. Dromerick ◽  
Richard Macko ◽  
Francesco Benvenuti ◽  
Brock Beamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background. As stroke survival improves, there is an increasing need for effective, low-cost programs to reduce deconditioning and improve mobility. Objective. To conduct a phase II trial examining whether the community-based Italian Adaptive Physical Activity exercise program for stroke survivors (APA-Stroke) is safe, effective, and feasible in the United States. Methods. In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 76 stroke survivors with mild to moderate hemiparesis >6 months were randomized to either APA-Stroke (N = 43) or Sittercise (N = 33). APA-Stroke is a progressive group exercise regimen tailored to hemiparesis that includes walking, strength, and balance training. Sittercise, a seated, nonprogressive aerobic upper body general exercise program, served as the control. Both interventions were 1 hour, 3 times weekly, in 5 community locations, supervised by exercise instructors. Results. A total of 76 participants aged 63.9 ± 1.2 years, mean months poststroke 61.8 ± 9.3, were included. There were no serious adverse events; completion rates were 58% for APA-Stroke, 70% for Sittercise. APA-Stroke participants improved significantly in walking speed. Sample size was inadequate to demonstrate significant between-group differences. Financial and logistical feasibility of the program has been demonstrated. Ongoing APA classes have been offered to >200 participants in county Senior Centers since study completion. Conclusion. APA-Stroke shows great promise as a low-cost, feasible intervention. It significantly increased walking speed. Safety and feasibility in the US context are demonstrated. A pivotal clinical trial is required to determine whether APA-Stroke should be considered standard of care.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Professional Development for Interdisciplinary Civic Education: Impacts on Humanities Teachers and Their Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-52
Author(s):  
Dennis J. Barr ◽  
Beth Boulay ◽  
Robert L. Selman ◽  
Rachel Mccormick ◽  
Ethan Lowenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Civic Learning ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
10Th Grade ◽  
The Impact

Background/Context Billions of dollars are spent annually on professional development (PD) for educators, yet few randomized controlled trials (RCT) have demonstrated the ultimate impact PD has on student learning. Further, while policymakers and others speak to the role schools should play in developing students’ civic awareness, RCTs of PD designed to foster civic learning are rare. This randomized controlled trial contributes to the knowledge base on the effectiveness of PD designed to integrate civic learning, ethical reflection, and historical thinking skills into high school humanities courses. Focus of Study The study examined the impact of a PD intervention in two areas: (a) teacher self-efficacy, burnout, and professional engagement and satisfaction; and (b) the academic, civic, social, and ethical competencies of 9th and 10th grade students in the teachers’ classes. Population/Participants/Subjects The study involved 113 teachers and 1,371 9th and 10th grade students in 60 high schools from eight metropolitan regions in the United States. Intervention/Program/Practice The intervention, Facing History and Ourselves, provides PD through a five-day seminar, curricular materials, and follow-up coaching and workshops to help teachers develop their capacities to implement an interdisciplinary historical case study unit using student-centered pedagogy. Research Design The study used a school-level, randomized, experimental design to investigate impacts of the intervention for teachers and their 9th and 10th grade students. Findings/Results Intervention teachers showed significantly greater self-efficacy in all eight assessed domains, more positive perceptions of professional support, satisfaction and growth, and greater personal accomplishment. Intervention students demonstrated stronger skills for analyzing evidence, agency, and cause and effect on a historical understanding performance measure; greater self-reported civic efficacy and tolerance for others with different views; and more positive perceptions of the classroom climate and the opportunities afforded for engaging with civic matters. Fidelity analysis found these causal effects despite the fact that roughly half of the intervention teachers did not fully implement the program. Conclusions/Recommendations Educators need evidence-based approaches for teaching complex social, civic, and political issues enabling students of diverse mindsets and backgrounds to engage constructively with one another while obtaining necessary skills and knowledge. These findings provide empirical support for a professional development approach that engages teachers in fostering academic and civic competencies critical to both participation in a democracy and success in college and career.

Lesson Study to Scale Up Research-Based Knowledge: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Fractions Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Lewis ◽  
Rebecca Perry
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Teacher Leadership ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Linear Representation ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Randomized Controlled

An understanding of fractions eludes many U.S. students, and research-based knowledge about fractions, such as the utility of linear representation, has not broadly influenced instruction. This randomized trial of lesson study supported by mathematical resources assigned 39 educator teams across the United States to locally managed lesson study supported by a fractions lesson study resource kit or to 1 of 2 control conditions. Educators (87% of whom were elementary teachers) self-managed learning over a 3-month period. HLM analyses indicated significantly greater improvement of educators' and students' fractions knowledge for teams randomly assigned to lesson study with resource kits. Results suggest that integrating researchbased resources into lesson study offers a new approach to the problem of “scale-up” by combining the strengths of teacher leadership and research-based knowledge.

scholarly journals Dissemination of the Look AHEAD Intensive Lifestyle Intervention in the United States Military: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1558-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Krukowski ◽  
Marion E. Hare ◽  
Gerald W. Talcott ◽  
Leslie A. Gladney ◽  
Karen C. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Military ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Intensive Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Look Ahead ◽  
The Look

scholarly journals Feasibility of an Educational Program for Public Health Nurses to Promote Local Healthcare Planning: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽  
Takafumi Katayama ◽  
Misa Shiomi ◽  
Noriko Hosoya ◽  
Hitoshi Fujii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Public Health Nurses ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Healthcare Planning ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Learning ◽  
Local Healthcare

Abstract Background: The promotion of local healthcare planning is crucial to assist public health nurses in improving community health inequities. However, there is no effective educational program for developing relevant skills and knowledge among these nurses. Therefore, this study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed web-based self-learning program, designed to promote the involvement of public health nurses in the local healthcare planning process. Methods: This pilot randomized control trial will randomly allocate eligible public health nurses to intervention and control wait-list groups [1:1]. The intervention group will be exposed to six web-based learning modules from July to October 2021. After collecting post-test data, the wait-list group will be exposed to the same modules to ensure learning equity. We will then evaluate the primary outcomes by implementing a validated and standardized scale designed to measure public health policy competencies both at baseline and post-intervention, while secondary outcomes will be measured on an action scale to demonstrate the necessity of healthcare activities. The third outcome will be knowledge and skills related to local healthcare planning by public health nurses. Participants will also provide feedback on both trial feasibility and the web-based self-learning program itself, which will help us identify improvement points for continual refinement. Feedback will be given through free descriptions. Discussion: This pilot study will assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a web-based self-learning program designed to develop the competencies of public health nurses involved in local healthcare planning. We will examine all outcome scales and data collection procedures in preparation for a future definitive randomized controlled trial. This will provide preliminary data for an intervention aimed at improving relevant competencies among public health nurses who are tasked with resolving health inequities in their respective communities through local health planning. Trial registration: The protocol for this study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry and approved by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (No. UMIN000043628, March 23, 2021).

Effects of Government-Implemented Cash Plus Model on Violence Experiences and Perpetration Among Adolescents in Tanzania, 2018‒2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2227-2238
Author(s):  
Tia Palermo ◽  
Leah Prencipe ◽  
Lusajo Kajula ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Percentage Points

Objectives. To examine the impacts of a government-implemented cash plus program on violence experiences and perpetration among Tanzanian adolescents. Methods. We used data from a cluster randomized controlled trial (n = 130 communities) conducted in the Mbeya and Iringa regions of Tanzania to isolate impacts of the “plus” components of the cash plus intervention. The panel sample comprised 904 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years living in households receiving a government cash transfer. We estimated intent-to-treat impacts on violence experiences, violence perpetration, and pathways of impact. Results. The plus intervention reduced female participants’ experiences of sexual violence by 5 percentage points and male participants’ perpetration of physical violence by 6 percentage points. There were no intervention impacts on emotional violence, physical violence, or help seeking. Examining pathways, we found positive impacts on self-esteem and participation in livestock tending and, among female participants, a positive impact on sexual debut delays and a negative effect on school attendance. Conclusions. By addressing poverty and multidimensional vulnerability, integrated social protection can reduce violence. Public Health Implications. There is high potential for scale-up and sustainability, and this program reaches some of the most vulnerable and marginalized adolescents. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2227–2238. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306509 )

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