bonnie braun, phd elizabeth maring, phd linda aldoory, phd mili duggal, mph school of public health...

Bonnie Braun, PhD Elizabeth Maring, PhD

Linda Aldoory, PhDMili Duggal, MPH

School of Public HealthHorowitz Center for Health Literacy

University of Maryland Extension

Evaluate use of clicker technology in focus groups

Distinguish core health message preferences among low-income, rural mothers

Determine how to apply findings

Understanding learners' preferences for both style of messages and delivery mechanisms could improve the ability of health professionals to attract learners’ attention and produce intended action …

Improved Health Outcomes

Health literacy principles suggest that health information must be•User-focused•Easy to understand and do•Culturally appropriate•Emotionally appealing•Scientifically sound

They and their families experience•Poorer health outcomes•Limited availability and access to health services

•Inadequate health insurance coverage

•Low levels of health literacy

What factors help or hinder rural mothers’:

Attention to health messages Understanding of messages Actions in response to messages Preferred channels of receiving

messages

Reduce health disparities and improve health and well-being

Ethnically diverse mothers (African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Native American, and White) living in rural communities in eight states

Primary caregivers of at least one child between the ages of 0 and 12

Income 185% or less than the federal poverty line

Participants responded to questions about:

•Their own health and their health literacy

•Perceived sense of control•Appeal of test health messages•Preferences for receipt of health messages

Participants discussed what elements mattered most to them

Tested initial health messages in the areas of:• Physical health, dental health, and food

security

Press Your Clicker--Yes

Raise Your Hand — No

Understanding learners' preferences for both style of messages and delivery mechanisms could improve the ability of health professionals to attract learners’ attention and produce intended action…

Improved Health Outcomes

PartnersUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst,

Washington State University, University of Maryland Extension,

Rural Maryland Council, Maryland Rural Health Association,

University of Maryland School of Public Health,Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy

And 14 Rural Families Speak state research teams.

This study is funded by a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Rural Health and Safety grant.

Contact Information:

Bonnie Braun, PhD., Professor & Faculty ScholarHerschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy

University of Maryland-College ParkSchool of Public Health

301-335-4335 bbraun@umd.edu