Selected Abstract

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Glasgow, R.E., Klesges, L.M., Dzewaltowski, D.A., Bull, S.S., Estabrooks, P. (2004) The future of health behavior change research: What is needed to improve translation of research into health promotion practice? Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 27:3-12.

It is increasingly well documented that the results of most behavioral and health promotion studies have not been translated into practice. In this article, we discuss reasons for this gap, focusing on study design characteristics as a central contributing barrier. We briefly discuss and summarize four reviews of recent controlled studies in worksites, health care settings, schools, and community settings. These reviews come to similar consistent conclusions regarding key internal and external validity factors that have and have not been reported. It is very clear that moderating variables and generalization issues have not been included or reported in the majority of investigations, and that consequently we know little about the representativeness or the robustness of results from current studies. To significantly improve the current state of affairs, substantial changes will be required on the part of researchers, funding agencies, and review and editorial boards. We conclude with recommendations for each of these entities.