A multicomponent minimal intervention health promotion program: preliminary results

This article reports two preliminary studies examining whether a minimal intervention cardiac risk education program incorporating behavioral components to enhance self-efficacy could effectively change health behaviors. The first study utilized a quasi-experimental design in evaluating workshop outcome among 131 AFL-CIO union members. A MANCOVA performed on self-report and physiological outcome measures suggested a significant difference between treatment and waiting list control groups, primarily in the area of nutrition. In the second true experimental study, participants were 307 "at-risk" employees of a local school system. A MANCOVA at a four month follow-up revealed significant differences in several reported health behaviors including Type A behavior, smoking, and nutrition. Results also showed the program's effectiveness was consistent across sex, age, and severity of participants' health risk. Implications for further research on the cost-effectiveness of brief health promotion interventions are discussed in light of the observed impact and the high level (80%) of employee interest and participation.