title: LUCHAR: using computer technology to battle heart disease among Latinos.
abstract: Many promising technology-based programs designed to promote healthy behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating have not been adapted for use with diverse communities, including Latino communities. We designed a community-based health kiosk program for English- and Spanish-speaking Latinos. Users receive personalized feedback on nutrition, physical activity, and smoking behaviors from computerized role models that guide them in establishing goals in 1 or more of these 3 areas. We found significant improvements in nutrition and physical activity among 245 Latino program users; however, no changes were observed with respect to smoking behaviors. The program shows promise for extending the reach of chronic disease prevention and self-management programs.
authors.affiliation: Colorado Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leeman-Castillo
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raghunath
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Sheana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bull
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D003120:Colorado; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019303:Multilingualism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014584:User-Computer Interface