Community Preventive Services Task Force Recommends Health Communications Campaigns with Multiple Channels and Giveaways

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends health communication campaigns that use multiple channels — one of which must be mass media — combined with the distribution of free or reduced-price health-related products based on strong evidence of effectiveness for producing intended behavior changes. Studies included in this review promoted the use of products that act in the following ways:

• Facilitate adoption and/or maintenance of health-promoting behaviors, i.e., increased physical activity through pedometer distribution combined with communication campaigns to increase walking.
• Facilitate and/or help to sustain cessation of harmful behaviors, i.e., smoking cessation through free or reduced cost over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy [OTC NRT]).
• Protect against behavior-related disease or injury, i.e., condoms, child safety seats, recreational safety helmets, and sun-protection products.

For more information, go to The Community Guide: Health Communication Campaigns That Include Mass
Media & Health-Related Product distribution.

The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) is an essential resource for people who want to know what works in public health.