This project aims to create a channel for the Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Project on how to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.

cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, risk reduction, user tailored, expert tailored

1. Develop a health channel for the kiosk that focuses on reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
2. Include the channel in all of the kiosks through the state of Michigan.
   

Residents throughout the State of Michigan.

Being developed as part of the Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Demonstration Project, this health channel will include:

• A description of the basic functioning of the heart along with abnormalities and diseases including narrowing of the arteries, coronary heart disease, heart attach, heart failure, and stroke.
• Information on how to reduce risk factors such as lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, high blood pressure, and excess weight are emphasized.
• An interactive appraisal that gives individuals an assessment of their personal risks.

Focus groups, intercept interviews, and usability testing were completed for all of the channels before final dissemination into the kiosks. Feedback was reviewed and improvements, clarifications, and updates were implemented into each channel as appropriate.

After dissemination, findings for all channels provided in the kiosk include:

• Pilot assessments of all kiosk users showed that over 400,000 individuals use the kiosks each year.
• When comparing users with the population exposed to the kiosks, we find that kiosk users tend to be younger (over 50% of users are under 21 years of age). Users do not, however, differ from nonusers by ethnic or gender status.
• Because of the ethnic compositions where the kiosks are placed, over 50% of kiosk users are nonwhite. Satisfaction levels with the kiosks do not differ by ethnic status or by gender.
• Kiosk users report that the information provided is useful and easy to understand.
• Users rate information from the kiosk as equally as or more trustworthy than information received from physicians or television news shows.
• The vast majority of users enjoyed using the HOV modules and thought they were easy to use.

The Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Project is one example of how interactive multimedia technology can be made available to a broader spectrum of the public. The data suggests that interactive multimedia would be used by the public most in need of preventive services - those who do not have ready access to computers.

Strecher, V. J., Greenwood, T., Wang, C., & Dumont, D. (1999). Interactive multimedia and risk communication. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, 25, 134-139.

Strecher, V. J. (1999). Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Demonstration Project: Annual Report. Prepared for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Strecher, V. J. (1998). Michigan Interactive Health Kiosk Demonstration Project: Annual Report. Prepared for the Michigan Department of Community Health.