ABSTRACT
The number of research studies and practical applications of tailored communication is exploding in a wide variety of fields. In health education and health communication, studies have already shown that tailored print materials are more effective than nontailored ones in helping individuals change health-related behaviors such as smoking, diet, physical activity, cancer and cholesterol screening, and can enhance participation in health promotion programs (Brennan, Kreuter, Caburnay, & Wilshire, 1998; Brug, Glanz, Van Assema, Kok, & Van Breukelen, 1998; Brug, Steenhaus, van Assema, & de Vries, 1996; Bull, Kreuter & Scharff, 1999; Campbell et al., 1994; Dijkstra, De Vries, & Roijackers, 1998a; 1998b; Kreuter & Strecher, 1996; Marcus et al., 1998; Prochaska, DiClemente, Velicer, & Rossi, 1993; Skinner, Strecher, & Hospers, 1994; Strecher et al., 1994). Findings from these and other tailored health communication programs described in this book suggest that computer-based tailoring has great potential as a tool for helping meet important public health objectives.
