Health Promotion

The investigators propose to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the peer-led CARE Intervention designed to mitigate health differences among rural and low-income communities in Texas. This intervention leverages the expertise of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to empower rural and low-income communities, improving health outcomes through outreach, education, counseling, and social support.

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to learn if text message reminders sent through WhatsApp increase pneumococcal vaccination coverage in adults turning 65 years old in Chile. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do text message reminders increase the proportion of adults aged 65 years who receive the pneumococcal vaccine compared to usual care? Do text message reminders increase pneumococcal vaccination coverage within the first 7 days after the message is sent? Is there an association between socioeconomic factors and pneumococcal vaccination coverage in adults aged 65 years in Chile? Researchers will compare adults who receive a text message reminder to adults who receive no reminder (usual care) to see if the reminders increase vaccination uptake. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive a WhatsApp text message reminder about the pneumococcal vaccine or to receive no reminder Receive a second reminder on day 14 if they have not yet been vaccinated (intervention group only) Be followed for 6 weeks, with vaccination status checked at days 7, 21, and 42 from the start of the intervention

The DELPHI project (Digital Engagement for Lifelong Prevention and Health Improvement) aims to develop, implement, and validate an advanced digital platform for promoting well-being and personalized prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in healthy adults. By integrating wearable sensors, artificial intelligence, federated learning, and the Human Digital Twin (HDT) paradigm, the DELPHI platform is designed to collect, analyze, and interpret multidimensional data in order to deliver dynamic and personalized recommendations for healthy lifestyles. The study adopts a multicenter, randomized controlled pilot design, with a maximum duration of 12 months per participant. A total of 200 healthy adults aged 18-65 will be recruited in Southern Italy (Sicily, Campania, and Basilicata) and randomly assigned to either: (1) an experimental group using the full DELPHI platform, including personalized recommendations, adaptive content, and continuous feedback; or (2) a control group using a basic version limited to passive monitoring. As a non-clinical primary prevention pilot study, DELPHI aims to assess the operational feasibility, usability, and acceptability of the platform in real-world settings, while also exploring preliminary signals of impact on health and lifestyle domains without confirmatory purposes. Secondary objectives include monitoring physiological indicators, adherence to the app and wearable devices, and evaluating the feasibility of implementing the platform in workplace environments. Data collection will rely on wearable devices, digital questionnaires, and behavioral analysis, with strong safeguards for personal data protection in compliance with GDPR and advanced security approaches such as federated learning and encryption. Specific subgroups, including workers from the Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi (FDG) as well as university staff and students, will be involved in targeted assessments related to mental well-being and distress. In addition, workers from the FDG will test a virtual reality module designed to evaluate biomechanical overload risks during manual handling activities in simulated environments. These additional physiological and virtual reality components are exploratory and non-diagnostic. Overall, DELPHI seeks to provide a solid foundation for the adoption of predictive and personalized models in digital health, contributing to the development of a sustainable and accessible prevention ecosystem, particularly in Southern Italy.

The study investigators aim to test an online support platform for Michigan youth aged 8-18 years enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school and their parent/caregiver. The online support platform will be hosted on the Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS) 3.0 and will provide evidence-based cognitive behavioral coping skills for physical (pain) and mental (stress, mood) health symptoms, with additional substance use prevention content for youth aged 12 and older. Evaluations will occur at baseline and then a post assessment approximately 8 weeks later.

There are few public health and educational policies specifically aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy dietary habits, and reducing sedentary behaviour among adolescents from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. ePro-Schools will co-design, pilot and evaluate an evidence-based program, delivered via a modular eHealth platform, to promote physical activity and healthy eating, and reduce time in sedentary behaviours. A profound co-creation process involving adolescents, school staff, and policymakers-alongside the adaptation of previous interventions by consortium members-will support the program's development. The ePro-Schools platform will contain modules for adolescents and their parents, teachers and school administration. Although the platform will be implemented through schools, it will include content to be implemented outside the school setting. The intervention program will be evaluated through a randomised controlled trial conducted in six secondary schools in Central Catalonia that aims to include 1000 adolescents. Schools have been randomised (1:1) into an intervention and a waiting-list control group. The evaluation of the program includes effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and process evaluation. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and eating habits are the primary effectiveness outcomes of the trial. Secondary outcomes include fitness, water consumption, quality of life, depressive symptoms, social isolation and sleep quality. Using implementation science methodology, ePro-Schools will co-design transferable evidence-based practices and methodologies and guidance for scaling up the platform with policymakers and stakeholders, as well as informing specialists, policymakers and the general public.

This study evaluates the effects of a social prescribing intervention on health promotion outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. The intervention consists of a 4-week mindfulness meditation program followed by a 12-week walking-pole exercise program. The purpose of the study is to determine whether this combined intervention improves physical function, psychological well-being, and sleep quality. Eligible participants aged 55 years and older will be enrolled from community settings and will receive the same 16-week intervention. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after the mindfulness phase, after completion of the full intervention, and 3 months after the intervention ends. Study outcomes include physical function, mood, well-being, sleep quality, and indicators of continued participation and lifestyle change. The investigators hypothesize that the combined social prescribing intervention will lead to improvements in physical and psychological health among community-dwelling older adults and support healthy aging.

The Ku Ola Project: The goal of this study is to determine if community-based discussion groups and small educational sessions enhance health awareness and behaviors among Native Hawaiian men. The study will examine if these interventions improve participants' health knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy while fostering local networks to support ongoing health promotion. Participants will engage in group discussions and educational sessions designed to build capacity and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

The primary objective of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of an innovative multimodal eHealth \& mHealth intervention (focused on emphasizing identity/habit and/or self-regulation) on increasing moderate to vigorous (MVPA) across 12 months among newly retired adults not meeting Physical Activity guidelines at study baseline, thus at higher risk of age-related chronic diseases. The secondary objectives are to examine whether these approaches improve physical and mental well-being and health related fitness-outcomes. Principal Research Question 1: Does an intervention focused on identity/habit + self-regulation skills + education (ID) increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) compared with an intervention focused on self-regulation skills + education (SR), and an education control condition (ED)? Three-arm parallel design single blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups (ID, SR, ED) for 12 months duration. * After the initial screening process, eligible participants will be provided with an accelerometer-mailed or delivered in person-to wear for seven consecutive days. Data collected will verify baseline physical activity levels and determine final eligibility based on adherence to physical activity guideline thresholds. * Participants will visit the lab for fitness testing and complete an online questionnaire See below in "detailed description" the breakdown/delivery given for each of the 3 arms.

The purpose of the study is to develop an acceptable, feasible, and effective peer-led bundle of health resilience and promotion services to be delivered in the hospital setting, called the THRIVE intervention. The main question it aims to answer is: Will participants receiving the THRIVE intervention have a reduced risk of self-reported non-fatal overdoses OR skin/soft tissue infections compared to participants receiving enhanced usual care? Researchers will compare the THRIVE model to enhanced usual care to see if the THRIVE model helps participants reduce their number of self-reported non-fatal overdoses OR skin/soft tissue infections. Intervention participants will: * Receive one in-person session from a peer support specialist while in the hospital * Receive weekly text messages from the peer support specialist for a 12-week period * Receive monthly, multiple-choice assessments via text message at Month 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 * Complete a baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment with Research Assistants Enhanced usual care participants will: * Receive a handout with health resilience education and resources in their local area * Receive monthly, multiple-choice assessments via text message at Month 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 * Complete a baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment with Research Assistants

This implementation study evaluates two strategies to increase fruit consumption among Swedish students. (1) installing fruit stands in schools and (2) combining fruit stands with a health-awareness campaign. The intervention is implemented in a set of participating schools, each following one of the predefined strategies. Students are asked to use a research app to photograph their meals and snacks during three data-collection periods before, during, and after the intervention. The study collects information on fruit intake, eating patterns, and the number of fruits taken from the stands to assess effectiveness and reduce food waste. The aim is to identify which strategy better supports healthy eating habits in school environments.

This 12-week study protocol outlines a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Dance-Mindfulness intervention integrating Modern Theatre Dance with mindfulness-based embodied practices to enhance psychological wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and embodied awareness in adults. The intervention combines: (1) polyvagal-informed breath-movement synchronization (nasal breathing, grounding); (2) ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern Theatre Dance technique progression and dance movements (Grades 2-4); (3) nervous system regulation through somatic practices; and (4) phenomenological reflection via weekly journaling and post-session integration. Study Design: Parallel-assignment randomized controlled trial (approx. N=320; n=160 intervention, n=160 waitlist control). Randomization uses computer-generated block randomization (block sizes 4-6). Outcomes: Perceived stress, mindfulness psychological wellbeing (happiness, life satisfaction), emotional regulation, social connection, movement confidence. Qualitative Component: Phenomenological interviews and weekly reflective journals from subsample (approx. n=20) analyzed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Intervention Delivery: 90-100 minute weekly sessions delivered over 12 weeks by qualified facilitator(s) trained in Modern Theatre Dance, mindfulness (≥3 years personal practice, MBSR, yoga or equivalent), trauma-informed care, and group facilitation. Sessions include 8 structured components: breath-grounding (9-10 min), technical dance work (14-15 min), conditioning (9-10 min), break-settling (4-5 min), rhythm improvisation (8-9 min), choreographed sequences (15-17 min), cool-down-integration (8-9 min), and phenomenological journaling (10-20 min). Safety \& Fidelity: Structured facilitator guidelines, session checklists, weekly supervision, adverse event protocols, and external fidelity monitoring ensure protocol integrity. Classroom size: 15-18 participants per session. Data Collection: Baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 6 only for qualitative), post-intervention (Week 12), and optional 1-3 month follow-up. Intent to treat analysis and mixed-effects modeling for between-group comparisons. Population: Adults (age 18+) seeking wellbeing enhancement through recreation or stress reduction. Eligible participants without acute mental health crisis. Primary Purpose: Health promotion and mental health improvement through nervous system regulation, embodied awareness, and psychosocial wellbeing enhancement.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if 4-week xylitol gum intervention works to promote smoking cessation in daily smokers. It will also learn about the feasibility and acceptability of using xylitol gum. The main questions it aims to answer are: （1）Does xylitol gum help to reduce cigarette consumption and promote smoking cessation? Researchers will compare 4-week xylitol gum intervention to the brief advice to see if xylitol gum works to promote smoking cessation. Participants in the intervention group will receive a 3-month behavioral intervention comprising a 4-week xylitol gum aligned with 12 weeks of instant reminder message support.

This exploratory qualitative study aims to collect the health needs and representations of migrant and socially vulnerable populations attending the Doctors in the World center in Nice, and to assess their interest in collective approaches to health promotion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and August 2025. Data are analyzed thematically to identify needs, barriers and facilitators to the implementation of collective health groups

Background A vast majority of adolescents do not meet guidelines for healthy physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep, posing major risks for developing multiple non-communicable diseases. Unhealthy lifestyles seem more prevalent in urban than rural areas, with the neighbourhood environment as a mediating pathway linking urban living and poor health. How to develop and implement sustainable and effective interventions focused on adolescent health and wellbeing in urban vulnerable life situations is a key challenge and research gap. This paper describes the protocol of a Youth-centred Participatory Action (YoPA) project aiming to tailor, implement, and evaluate social and physical environmental interventions using an evidence-informed youth-centred co-creation approach, for structural improvement of the lifestyles of adolescents in urban vulnerable life situations. Methods In diverse urban environments in Denmark, the Netherlands, Nigeria, and South Africa, academic researchers will engage adolescents (12-19 years) growing up in vulnerable life situations and other key stakeholders (e.g., policy makers, urban planners, community leaders) in local co-creation communities. Together with academic researchers and local stakeholders, adolescents will take a leading role in mapping the local system for needs and opportunities; tailoring interventions to their local context; implementing and evaluating interventions during participatory meetings over the course of three years. YoPA applies a participatory mixed methods design guided by the newly developed SUPER-AIM framework assessing: (i) the local Systems, (ii) User perspectives, (iii) the Participatory co-creation process, (ii) Effects, iv) Reach, (vi) Adoption, (vii) Implementation, and (viii) Maintenance of interventions, in an integrated manner. Discussion YoPA aims to fill various research gaps, including the development of a practical protocol guiding the application of co-creation to tailor evidence-informed interventions to divers, multi-country contexts. Additionally, it focuses on advancing the research gap in physical activity and health within Sub-Saharan Africa and the involvement of adolescents in shaping their physical and social environments. Academic researchers envision that the YoPA co-creation approach will serve as a guide for participation of adolescents in vulnerable life situations in implementation of health promotion and urban planning in Europe, Africa and globally.

Physical activity decreases as young people get older, especially during the shift from early to late adolescence. Unfortunately, around 81% of school-aged children worldwide between the ages of 11 and 17 do not meet the recommendation of at least one hour of physical activity per day - and this is also true in Switzerland. Not being active enough, whether normal weight or overweight, can lead to long-term health problems and is a major factor in becoming overweight over time. This results in healthcare costs and negatively affects quality of life. Supporting physical activity in overweight youth requires well-rounded, thoughtful programs. The investigators studying the impact of the movement programs now! and now!+ on the physical activity and health of young people. The goal is to look at both physical and mental changes equally. Taking part in this study involves minimal physical or mental risk for the participants. These small risks from the testing methods and activities are taken into account in how the program is explained and carried out. The benefits for the participants - feeling healthier and fitter physically, and more confident and capable mentally - clearly outweigh any potential risks, thanks to the additional, guided, and personalized exercise program. The participants take part in the now! and now!+ exercise programs run by the Basel-Stadt Sports Office and the DSBG. now! is a 90-minute group session with up to 14 young people, while now!+ is a 90-minute small-group session with 2 to 4 participants. Both programs take place once a week over a 12-month period and pause during school holidays (38 training weeks in total). Each session includes a warm-up, a strength or endurance training block, and a coordination phase. The program is modular and adapted to the physical and personal needs of each participant. This ensures that overweight adolescents are not overstrained and don't develop symptoms like pain, frustration, or lack of motivation (Behringer et al., 2011), while still allowing for a training stimulus that supports physical improvement. The results of the evaluations are directly used to improve and further develop the exercise program. The overall project includes three rounds, each consisting of one year of training and three test sessions, each lasting about two hours. The now! and now!+ programs are held weekly for a total of 38 weeks per year, with breaks during school holidays. Each of the three test sessions includes the same set of assessments (see "Study Intervention") and follows a set order: The process begins with measuring body size and blood pressure, followed by a static retinal vessel analysis. After these medical checks, participants do a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary bike at a set resistance level. Then, strength tests are performed: knee extension on the IsoMed 2000, handgrip strength, and jump power on the Leonardo force plate. The endurance test using spiroergometry marks the end of the physical assessments. Finally, impulse control is tested, and participants complete a set of questionnaires. At the end of the session, each participant is given an actigraph (a small motion sensor worn on the body) to track their physical activity over the following seven days.

The GEROS Project aims to develop and implement a Service-Learning (S-L) program that integrates Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and health promotion, for students at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare at the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC). This initiative engages university students, healthcare professionals, and older adults (60+) in a participatory, intergenerational approach that fosters mutual learning and community engagement. The study follows a non-experimental mixed-method design, involving students from Nursing, Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. Participants include older adults (60+) who can independently travel to the university. The project is integrated into different subjects, in groups of 4-5 students, participants conduct a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), evaluating frailty using VIG-Frail, intrinsic capacity with ICOPE, quality of life with EUROQOL 5D-5L, and specific health indicators with Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). To assess the program's effectiveness, several outcome measures will be analyzed including students' perceived knowledge, competencies, and skills, as well as older adults' awareness of their health status, lifestyle, and risk factors. Additionally, the satisfaction levels of both will be evaluated. The items will be evaluated using a 1-5 Likert Scale, and the analysis will be conducted with SPSS. Data recording will be carried out through REDCap. The GEROS Project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By offering care to the aging population and providing them with personalized health recommendations, the project promotes preventive strategies, active aging, and intergenerational learning. Furthermore, GEROS integrates innovative educational methodologies, encouraging experiential learning, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and the development of practical skills in real-world contexts. The program's scalability and adaptability could serve as a model for other universities and healthcare institutions aiming to enhance geriatric care through service-learning initiatives.

This study protocol, describe the innovative study intervention which will be performed in a green-blue space in Italy in order to investigate on the improvements in wellbeing following participation in the study. This will be significant because it will provide evidence on the effectiveness of the supervised physical activities carried out in green-blue space in improving health, quality of life, physical performance, anthropometric outcomes and physiological parameters in adults, indicating the reasonableness for public health authorities to developing such activities.

This is a comparative, observational study aiming to compare the diversity of the diet during pregnancy of women who have benefited from a health promotion intervention and who have not

Students from different health science degrees will carry out a study on the variables of empathy, anxiety and personality profile.