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 promo-
tion 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.
