Health promotion--science or ideology?
This article is the author's American Psychological Association Division 38 Presidential Address, which was delivered at the 1987 APA meetings. It challenges health psychologists to be wary of becoming zealots in health promotion activities without continuing to recognize that health promotion programs should be anchored in sound science. This is discussed in terms of the biomedical research support for a recommended health practice or in terms of the psycho-socio-behavioral research support for techniques applied or advocated in intervention programs. To illustrate this problem in health promotion, the research foundations for recommendations of cholesterol control programs and the "Say No to Drugs" campaigns are explored. Other concerns relating to the appropriate role for the health psychologist in health promotion activities are also discussed.
Evans
R I
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Department of Psychology, University of Houston, TX 77004.
D006293:Health Promotion / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011591:Psychology, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States