Objective: The Building National Support for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention project was designed to develop strategies for public education and outreach programs that will increase awareness and support of disease prevention and health promotion research. Methods: The project included surveys of five public health stakeholder groups: Congress (N=65); public health professionals (283); media representatives N=24); the public (N=1003); and survivors and family members of survivors of serious preventable diseases (N=594). Harris Interactive conducted the surveys by mail, telephone, and/or on-line. All surveys were completed between July and December of 2000. Results: Nearly all congressional representatives and public health professionals believe that preventable diseases and injuries are a major health problem in the United States. When asked to consider the ten major public health successes of the twentieth century, most respondents believe research was extremely important to contributing to the progress of each. Most respondents also agree that health promotion through education and outreach has been at least somewhat important in these successes. However, the majority of respondents believe that the amount of total federal funding for health promotion and disease prevention research and programs is too little. Public Health professionals and members of congress agree that a lack of political will or effective interest group representation is the biggest barrier to greater support for health promotion and disease prevention. Implications: The results of these surveys can be used to develop effective messages in support of health promotion and disease prevention research.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the particpant (learner) will be able to: 1. Describe the results of research conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Research America; 2. Identify effective strategies for increasing awareness and support for prevention research.
Keywords: Prevention, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This presentation will mention services provided by Harris Interactive and Research America.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.