The purpose of this project is to test two different types of health messages, one that is developed for a specific group (targeted) and the other that is more personalized to individuals (tailored), to see which is better at changing how often people have their eyes examined. We hypothesize that people who get the tailored messages will be more likely to get a dilated eye exam than people who receive the targeted messages.
Studies have shown that people are not getting their eyes examined on a regular basis, even though dilated eye exams can detect eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, before significant vision loss has developed. Early detection can lead to earlier treatment, which can save sight by preventing or slowing the progression of these eye diseases. In this project we designed, implemented, and are now evaluating tailored and targeted print health messages to increase eye examination behavior in an African-American population 65 years of age and older, a group at increased risk of glaucoma and diabetes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
330
Tailored newsletter that addresses each person's stage of change, barriers to getting eye exams, and knowledge of eye exams and eye disease
Targeted newsletter that contains messages about barriers to getting eye exams and presents facts about glaucoma and African-Americans.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
doctor-confirmed dilated eye examination
Time frame: 3 and 6 months
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