Behavior Change In The Era Of Health Reform

This article is part of a series of blog posts by leaders in health and health care who participated in Spotlight Health from June 25-28, the opening segment of the Aspen Ideas Festival. This year’s theme was Smart Solutions to the World’s Toughest Challenges. Stayed tuned for more. At the recent 2015 Aspen Ideas Festival, a panel vigorously discussed the potential of behavior change to be the blockbuster drug of the 21st century. While no firm conclusions were reached, all agreed that need is enormous. Currently, too few Americans meet their full potential for health and only about half receive recommended care, including high-value preventive services. Scientists and policymakers have long explored better ways to improve the public’s health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs to heighten the sense of self-efficacy that could ultimately trigger positive behavior change. But changing behavior is never easy. Barriers always seem to stand in the way. They include the ongoing challenges of accessing preventive services affordably and conveniently in the current environment, as well as overcoming entrenched societal norms that seem to make healthy choices difficult. New Opportunities Now, the era of health reform is bringing new opportunities to overcome some of these barriers. By seizing these opportunities, we can build systems that regularly encourage everyone to make the healthier choice the easier choice — a major goal in facilitating behavior change. Moving...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Costs and Spending Equity and Disparities Featured Population Health Public Health ACA Aspen Ideas Festival culture of health Howard Koh Hunger-Free Kids Act preventive services Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Spotlight Health Source Type: blogs