Evaluating a health risk reduction program.

Abstract Within the context of movement toward a preventive health model, Bowling Green State University has implemented a health risk reduction program. This is comprised of three components: 1) Database Acquisition For Student Health (DASH), 2) peer health education, and 3) intervention programs in weight control, exercise, and smoking cessation. In the present study, freshmen who had completed a DASH health questionnaire prior to entering the university, were assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) DASH information was discussed with a peer health educator and then distributed to the student; 2) DASH results were sent through the mail; 3) DASH results were temporarily withheld (no-feedback control group). It was hypothesized that the most effective means of feedback would be by the peer health education program. Pre-post change in students' health attitudes, health locus of control expectancies, and perceived value of health was not systematically related to the different methods of feedback. Bas...