Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Alternative Models' Effects (PHLAME)

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Firefighters exhibit high rates of unhealthy behaviors and associated health risks, mirroring broader US population issues.
• The unique, team-oriented work structure of firefighters presents an ideal setting for group-based health behavior change strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of two distinct intervention models: a team-centered approach and an individual-focused, one-on-one format.
• To compare these interventions against a usual-care control group in improving nutrition and physical activity among firefighters.

Main Methods:

• The study employs a comparative design, assessing a team-based intervention (Social Learning Theory) against a one-on-one intervention (Transtheoretical Model, Motivational Interviewing).
• Outcomes and process measures will be collected to determine the efficacy of each model in facilitating health behavior change.

Main Results:

• This section is pending the study's completion; findings will detail the comparative success of team-based versus individual interventions.
• Results will illuminate the practical application and effectiveness of different behavior change models within the firefighter population.

Conclusions:

• The PHLAME study aims to provide crucial data on scalable and cost-effective strategies for improving firefighter health.
• Findings could inform the dissemination of successful interventions across fire departments and other team-based occupational settings.