The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #35292

Susan A. Tweed, RN, MS¹, Yan Zhang, MS¹, and Stacey B Plichta, ScD². (1) Urban Health Services, College of Health Science, Old Dominion University, 3565 Norland Court, Norfolk, VA 23513, (2) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics of people who choose to engage in multiple poor health behaviors (MPHB) and to explore the relationship between those behaviors and the socio-demographic characteristics, personal health history, family medical history, adverse life events, and life satisfaction of the people. Methods: The data set consisted of 12,086 participants responding to a health insurance based health promotion program. The data was obtained from a confidential Health Risk Assessment (HRA). Chi-square was used to examine the relationship between the poor health behaviors and health related factors. Results: Males and Blacks were more likely to engage in MPHB than females and other races. Non-health professionals were more likely to engage in MPHB. Those with high school or less education were more likely to choose MPHB than those with a college degree or above. Individuals with diabetes or obesity were more likely to engage in MPHB than those without diabetes or obesity. Respondents with adverse life events or who were partly or not satisfied with their lives were more likely to engage in MPHB. Family history and current chronic illness does not lead to a reduction in engaging in poor health behaviors nor does it cue the individual to action. Conclusions: People with chronic illnesses, troubled lives, or family medical history need focused interventions to help them choose to engage in positive health behaviors. The HRA can provide the basis for targeting health programs designed to reduce health-risk factors at the employer level.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify characteristics of people who choose to engage in multiple poor health behaviors.
• Recognize the relationship between poor health behaviors and the socio-demographic characteristics and other health related factors.
• Describe a health promotion program to reduce the choice of engaging in poor health behaviors.

Keywords: Health Behavior, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.