RWGNYC's Blog
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Banging Messages
Tamera R. Schneider asks her readers in her article “Getting the Biggest Bang for
Your Health Education Buck: Message Framing and Reducing Health Disparities,” while Health information has been made available everywhere, can it be presented to better promote behavior?
By framing messages in an engaging manner, they can effectively motivate health behaviors in the general population. When we look at newscasts, information can be presented with many different aspects in mind. The angle we shine light on our research finding, program, intervention, etc can greatly determine the success of its implementation. If we are skeptical from the beginning, failure will be most likely the result. If we choose the wrong angle for a target population, we build barriers; but if we get the correct angle, we will succeed.
To succeed we need to display cultural competency – know our target population and its needs- and need to stay afar from ethnocentrism; not every group or individual reacts the same way we would do. If the same message is adapted to the needs and objectives of the target population the barriers will be minimized or even broken down completely. In the best case scenario community support will actually boos the impact of our message.
The article gives us many objectives and tools to consider and to utilize. Further, we can observe how different framing approaches or the lack of framing will affect the impact of messages and ultimately the grade of change.
Tzvia Schwartz-Getzug describes in her article “Get the Message” how over exaggeration and even a healthy dosage of humor can get a message that is not primarily obvious across. The humor of finding a double chin, that no one wants in a park is funny and will stick. I will always choose humor above dry facts.
Your Health Education Buck: Message Framing and Reducing Health Disparities,” while Health information has been made available everywhere, can it be presented to better promote behavior?
By framing messages in an engaging manner, they can effectively motivate health behaviors in the general population. When we look at newscasts, information can be presented with many different aspects in mind. The angle we shine light on our research finding, program, intervention, etc can greatly determine the success of its implementation. If we are skeptical from the beginning, failure will be most likely the result. If we choose the wrong angle for a target population, we build barriers; but if we get the correct angle, we will succeed.
To succeed we need to display cultural competency – know our target population and its needs- and need to stay afar from ethnocentrism; not every group or individual reacts the same way we would do. If the same message is adapted to the needs and objectives of the target population the barriers will be minimized or even broken down completely. In the best case scenario community support will actually boos the impact of our message.
The article gives us many objectives and tools to consider and to utilize. Further, we can observe how different framing approaches or the lack of framing will affect the impact of messages and ultimately the grade of change.
Tzvia Schwartz-Getzug describes in her article “Get the Message” how over exaggeration and even a healthy dosage of humor can get a message that is not primarily obvious across. The humor of finding a double chin, that no one wants in a park is funny and will stick. I will always choose humor above dry facts.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
COMHE 303 Diabetes assignment
OK, Judie, Minori and Nana, this will be our spot for messages ... just post away
Rob
Here are Nana's and my part ... more to follow
I. US Department of Health and Human Services: The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, 2000.
II. An update on Type 2 Diabetes in Youth, The National Diabetes Education Program. Pediatrics Vol. 114 No. July 2004, pp. 259-263.
III. Balamurugan, Appathurai., M.D., Barriers to diabetes self-management education programs in underserved rural Arkansas: implications for program evaluation. Prev Chronic Dis, 2006 Jan; Vol.3 (1) pp. A15; PMID: 16356368.
IV. Steinberger J, Daniels SR. Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Risk in Children: An American Heart Association Scientific Statement From the Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity in the Young Committee (Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young) and the Diabetes Committee (Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism). Circulation. 2003;107:1448.
C. There is no disagreement in the results of conclusions of the articles.
D. Even thought the studies all have different populations, adults in the general population observed by the Department of Health and Human Services (I), children of Pima Indians in Arizona studied by the National Diabetes Education Program (II), high prevalence areas in Arkansas surveyed by Balamuruga (III), and Children observed by Steinberger and Daniels (IV), the individual hypotheses are proven. Further, the study design varies greatly, while study (I) has its focus on development of guidelines, the focus of the other three studies is more concentrated on specific issues. First, study (II) focuses on educating pediatric providers to facilitate proper patient evaluations to identify the susceptibility to type II diabetes mellitus in the observed group of children and proper administration of treatment. In this study the focus is on the children as well as on the lack of skills in the administrative personnel. Second, study (III) realizes that barriers were a dominant part contributing to the failure of successful implementation of treatment to cohorts in Arkansas. Further, many barriers could not be overcome because of the lack of a working evaluation plan. Third, study (IV) discovered that the prevalence of insulin resistance syndrome in children can later, if obesity becomes an additional contributing factor, lead to heart disease and a major increase in risk to acquire type II diabetes mellitus.
To the same extend the studies vary, so do the different Variables. The Department of Health and Human Services sets its dependent variable at weight loss and management, while the independent variables being observed are body mass index, waist size, different therapy options, level of physical activity, and also options of weight loss surgery. Further investigations are made by the study facilitated by the National Diabetes Education Program, which focuses on the increase in prevalence of Type II diabetes mellitus as its dependent, and being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, or lack of education as its independent variables. However, the Balamuruga study narrows the dependent variable towards anticipated and unanticipated barriers which could be encountered during the implementation of intervention programs. The Independent variable in this case is concentrated around self management educational programs in rural areas with high prevalence of diabetes. Last, the dependent variable of the Steinberger and Daniels study revolves around insulin resistance syndrome, while the independent variable weights increased left ventricular mass, obesity, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities in order to analyze the outcome.
F. Our project is immigrants and diabetes. As a matter of fact, there articles do not help us, but the results of these articles somewhat might help our intervention because there articles show that there will always exist a variety of barriers among races, cultures, and age, and gender. Therefore, health educators and health professionals need to be flexible and knowledgeable in order to deal with immigrants’ health issues.
Rob
Here are Nana's and my part ... more to follow
I. US Department of Health and Human Services: The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, 2000.
II. An update on Type 2 Diabetes in Youth, The National Diabetes Education Program. Pediatrics Vol. 114 No. July 2004, pp. 259-263.
III. Balamurugan, Appathurai., M.D., Barriers to diabetes self-management education programs in underserved rural Arkansas: implications for program evaluation. Prev Chronic Dis, 2006 Jan; Vol.3 (1) pp. A15; PMID: 16356368.
IV. Steinberger J, Daniels SR. Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Risk in Children: An American Heart Association Scientific Statement From the Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity in the Young Committee (Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young) and the Diabetes Committee (Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism). Circulation. 2003;107:1448.
C. There is no disagreement in the results of conclusions of the articles.
D. Even thought the studies all have different populations, adults in the general population observed by the Department of Health and Human Services (I), children of Pima Indians in Arizona studied by the National Diabetes Education Program (II), high prevalence areas in Arkansas surveyed by Balamuruga (III), and Children observed by Steinberger and Daniels (IV), the individual hypotheses are proven. Further, the study design varies greatly, while study (I) has its focus on development of guidelines, the focus of the other three studies is more concentrated on specific issues. First, study (II) focuses on educating pediatric providers to facilitate proper patient evaluations to identify the susceptibility to type II diabetes mellitus in the observed group of children and proper administration of treatment. In this study the focus is on the children as well as on the lack of skills in the administrative personnel. Second, study (III) realizes that barriers were a dominant part contributing to the failure of successful implementation of treatment to cohorts in Arkansas. Further, many barriers could not be overcome because of the lack of a working evaluation plan. Third, study (IV) discovered that the prevalence of insulin resistance syndrome in children can later, if obesity becomes an additional contributing factor, lead to heart disease and a major increase in risk to acquire type II diabetes mellitus.
To the same extend the studies vary, so do the different Variables. The Department of Health and Human Services sets its dependent variable at weight loss and management, while the independent variables being observed are body mass index, waist size, different therapy options, level of physical activity, and also options of weight loss surgery. Further investigations are made by the study facilitated by the National Diabetes Education Program, which focuses on the increase in prevalence of Type II diabetes mellitus as its dependent, and being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, or lack of education as its independent variables. However, the Balamuruga study narrows the dependent variable towards anticipated and unanticipated barriers which could be encountered during the implementation of intervention programs. The Independent variable in this case is concentrated around self management educational programs in rural areas with high prevalence of diabetes. Last, the dependent variable of the Steinberger and Daniels study revolves around insulin resistance syndrome, while the independent variable weights increased left ventricular mass, obesity, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities in order to analyze the outcome.
F. Our project is immigrants and diabetes. As a matter of fact, there articles do not help us, but the results of these articles somewhat might help our intervention because there articles show that there will always exist a variety of barriers among races, cultures, and age, and gender. Therefore, health educators and health professionals need to be flexible and knowledgeable in order to deal with immigrants’ health issues.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Josh Levy on Social Software
Social software is becoming an integral part of developing future societies. The distinction of the have and the have nots (the individuals who have access to technology and those who have not), will be the indicator if we succeed or not. Technologies like the $100 laptop need are a great introductory tool of technology to individuals less fortunate and in areas inaccessible to technologies or even electricity. To create technology savvy individuals, the tools used need to be easily understandable. The ethnocentric approach of technological savvy societies neglects a fundamental barrier within societies that do not have the technological advantages. Computers for everyone sound great, but if there is no electricity (the $100 laptop took care of that) or no way to connect the computer to the global net, the resources are limited. Not every country has internet access or WiFi; this may come as a surprise, but it is true.
However, any approach to change the digital divide, is a step into a more compatible future. Humans are naturally drawn to new things; a curiosity to discover something unfamiliar and trying to understand it. I remember when I went into the Sahara dessert with a laptop, satellite phone and a group of Berbers. This technology was as foreign to the Berbers as their style of living was to me. I showed the interested individuals how GPS and other technology can work even in the remotes spots of the world and in return I learned a lot from the Berbers. Interestingly enough, the technology I used was far too expensive for many individuals in the technological world, but the information I gained from the Berbers, did not cost anything, but is invaluable to me.
Years later, Morocco started a program of broadband internet access and the outlook of a whole society has changed. Interestingly enough, the Sahara still does not have a Starbucks Hot Spot, but who knows, for how long this will be the case.
However, any approach to change the digital divide, is a step into a more compatible future. Humans are naturally drawn to new things; a curiosity to discover something unfamiliar and trying to understand it. I remember when I went into the Sahara dessert with a laptop, satellite phone and a group of Berbers. This technology was as foreign to the Berbers as their style of living was to me. I showed the interested individuals how GPS and other technology can work even in the remotes spots of the world and in return I learned a lot from the Berbers. Interestingly enough, the technology I used was far too expensive for many individuals in the technological world, but the information I gained from the Berbers, did not cost anything, but is invaluable to me.
Years later, Morocco started a program of broadband internet access and the outlook of a whole society has changed. Interestingly enough, the Sahara still does not have a Starbucks Hot Spot, but who knows, for how long this will be the case.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Blogging, Curse or Lifestyle?
The article Educational Blogging by Stephen Downes, shows the influence electronic media can have on the advancement of direct feedback from a sample-group.
“It’s the most beautiful tool of the world and it allows us the most magic thing…” is a quote from Florence Dassylava-Simard, a fifth-grade student, which Downes uses to get his point across. Blogs are easy to set up, use and maintain. In an educational, as well as in a health educational setting, this tool creates teamwork. Information is broadly accessible and the “no fuzz” approach of sharing information and data diminishes the fear that is usually associated with electronic media. Further, blogs can be used for question and answer sessions; this info can be used to support a frequently asked question page, which usually is more formal and impersonal. Blogging is a fun way to create direct feedback and relay information to a broad group without the need of extreme HTML knowledge. Basic computer skills are the only obstacle, beyond that point it is simple, plain fun.
On a more professional base, questionnaires, surveys, and other data collecting mechanisms can be created and implemented without the monetary investment the print counterpart requires. If the client or sample-base is receiving this media with open arms, data-collecting and providing information is instantaneous. In addition, creating studies, questionnaires, exchanging information, etc. has become more efficient. The wait for snail-mail or collection of electronic mail has become obsolete. Hypotheses, evaluations, falsifications etc. is broadly available and anyone (authorized or public) can access it if necessary.
One disadvantage, critics might mention, is the unrestricted ability to post comments and the migration to a too personal level. But blogging software has a few features to either restrict access to the blog, monitor posts, or check for profanity. If used in a professional manner, a blog is a creative tool to build a community, keep the information flow steady, and not lastly, educate the participants.
“It’s the most beautiful tool of the world and it allows us the most magic thing…” is a quote from Florence Dassylava-Simard, a fifth-grade student, which Downes uses to get his point across. Blogs are easy to set up, use and maintain. In an educational, as well as in a health educational setting, this tool creates teamwork. Information is broadly accessible and the “no fuzz” approach of sharing information and data diminishes the fear that is usually associated with electronic media. Further, blogs can be used for question and answer sessions; this info can be used to support a frequently asked question page, which usually is more formal and impersonal. Blogging is a fun way to create direct feedback and relay information to a broad group without the need of extreme HTML knowledge. Basic computer skills are the only obstacle, beyond that point it is simple, plain fun.
On a more professional base, questionnaires, surveys, and other data collecting mechanisms can be created and implemented without the monetary investment the print counterpart requires. If the client or sample-base is receiving this media with open arms, data-collecting and providing information is instantaneous. In addition, creating studies, questionnaires, exchanging information, etc. has become more efficient. The wait for snail-mail or collection of electronic mail has become obsolete. Hypotheses, evaluations, falsifications etc. is broadly available and anyone (authorized or public) can access it if necessary.
One disadvantage, critics might mention, is the unrestricted ability to post comments and the migration to a too personal level. But blogging software has a few features to either restrict access to the blog, monitor posts, or check for profanity. If used in a professional manner, a blog is a creative tool to build a community, keep the information flow steady, and not lastly, educate the participants.
