Cardiovascular risk modification by community-based programs for life-style change: Comments on the Stanford study

Because of its important implications for policy decisions and research funding in the preventive health area, the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the Stanford 3-community study (A. J. Meyer et al; are critically examined. Both incorrect and inappropriate conclusions have been drawn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of consulting and clinical psychology 1980-04, Vol.48 (2), p.150-158
Main Authors: Leventhal, Howard, Safer, Martin A, Cleary, Paul D, Gutmann, Mary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Behavior Change
Behavior Therapy - methods
California
Cardiovascular Disorders
Cardiovascular Risk
Community Health Services
Coronary Disease - prevention & control
Experimental Methods
Female
Health Education
Human
Humans
Life Style
Lifestyle
Male
Mass Media
Middle Aged
Preventive Health Services
Public Health Services
Risk
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Summary:Because of its important implications for policy decisions and research funding in the preventive health area, the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the Stanford 3-community study (A. J. Meyer et al; are critically examined. Both incorrect and inappropriate conclusions have been drawn about the effectiveness of mass media in reducing risk factors and changing life-style. The high-risk Ss in the media-only condition showed virtually no reduction in cardiovascular risk, although they did show increased knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors and did report a reduction in the consumption of cholesterol and fats. Ss in the media plus face-to-face instruction condition did reduce cardiovascular risk, primarily through smoking reduction, but because of a high drop-out rate and the absence of a face-to-face-instruction-only condition, it is impossible to evaluate the media's role in producing or maintaining the observed reduction in risk. The Stanford study was not a "community study," but a quasi-experimental study of individuals conducted in a community setting, and as such provides an incomplete and probably inappropriate model for changing unhealthy life-styles. (18 ref)
ISSN:0022-006X
1939-2117
DOI:10.1037/0022-006X.48.2.150