Behavior matters: the relevance, impact, and reach of behavioral medicine.

ABSTRACT:

Background/purpose

Growing evidence suggests behavioral interventions that target a few key behaviors may be effective at improving population-level health outcomes; health status indicators; social, economic, and physical environments; personal capacity; and biological outcomes. A theoretical framework that targets both social and cognitive mechanisms of behavioral interventions is outlined as critical for understanding "ripple effects" of behavioral interventions on influencing a broad range of outcomes associated with improved health and well-being.

Methods/results

Evidence from randomized controlled trials is reviewed and demonstrates support for ripple effects-the effects that behavioral interventions have on multiple outcomes beyond the intended primary target of the i

SUBMITTER: Wilson DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4426386 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature