ABC of behavior change (2005) PDF - Chapter D8 - Environmental and social strategies

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA WARNING This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Griffith University in accordance with section 113P of the Copyright Act 1968 (Act). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act....

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA WARNING This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Griffith University in accordance with section 113P of the Copyright Act 1968 (Act). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice Course of Study: (3018PSY) Behaviour Change Skills Title of work: ABC of behavior change; a guide to successful disease prevention and health promotion (2005) Section: (Chapter D8) Environmental and social strategies pp. 289--301 Author/editor of work: Kerr, Jacqueline.; Weitkunat, Rolf.; Moretti, Manuel. Author of section: Brian Oldenburg; Nicola Burton Name of Publisher: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone SECTION D Environmental and social D8 strategies Brian Oldenburg and Nicola Burton INTRODUCTION Given the importance of social and environmental influences as deter­ minants of health behaviors and health across the life course, it is also · important to consider the role of social and environmental change methods in the health behavior change process. Such methods involve a complex array of factors and variables that arise from the need to consider the change process at multiple levels, such as individuals, social and family networks, organizations, and society. It is also neces­ sary to consider the health behavior change process across different settings including the home and family, educational and school set­ tings, workplaces, health-care settings, as well as the wider community. Often different change strategies are implemented simultaneously across these different levels and settings. Social and environmental-level strategies should complement those strategies targeting more individual-level influences and can include introducing particular programs or services, changes in policies or reg­ ulations, changes in the roles and functions of particular personnel, environmental modifications, use of the media, governmental poli­ cies and legislation, facilitating specific relations among people, and a variety of other initiatives. This chapter provides an overview and examples of how health behavior change programs can be used to target and influence the physical, information, policy, and social environment in settings such as schools, the workplace, and the broader community. The physical environment refers to the presence, characteristics, and location of ♦114it♦ facilities relevant to those behaviors being targeted for change. The information environment includes sources of information and education that are relevant to understanding and influencing the @Wi+t desired behaviors. The policy environment includes policies, proce­ dures, rules, and regulations relevant to the behavior and how these ♦114@ can be implemented and enforced. The social environment includes 289