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Good health communications can raise awareness of health risks and solutions, motivate people, increase demand for appropriate health services, help people make complex health decisions, and influence public policy. Communications is critical in helping the public separate research-based findings from untested claims. The work done by the centers aims to make new scientific research
useful to everyone, not just the scientific community.
The centers will explore both traditional (newspapers, radio, and television) and newer technologies (computerized information systems) to find the best mix of media and messages. The CECCR in Pennsylvania will look at how consumers' knowledge and behaviors are affected by the complex health information environment. In Wisconsin, researchers will explore helping cancer patients and their families using interactive computer systems. The center in Michigan will tailor health messages, using interactive computer technology, to match the information to the user's needs and background. St. Louis University will concentrate
on communications and behavior change programs for African Americans. Each center will train students and young investigators in advanced cancer communication research skills.
The content areas the CECCRs will examine include anti-smoking media campaigns for adolescents, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among African Americans, helping women at high risk for breast cancer decide whether to take the drug tamoxifen, and how the public looks for information about prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Each project is funded for about $10 million over 5 years.
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