4/5/18
A new study finds that behavioral prompts help improve vaccination rates.
Using educational campaigns or simply attempting to persuade people to get their vaccines is less effective than indirect behavioral nudges. “When it comes to vaccines, I think we have this optimistic belief that just by telling people facts you can change their behavior,” said Noel Brewer, the study’s lead author. “But when was the last time someone told you one fact and suddenly you lost five pounds or started brushing your teeth?”
The research published Wednesday in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest shows that physician concludes doctors and health officials should focus on indirect behavior modification — actions like automatically scheduled vaccination appointments, phone and text reminders from doctors’ offices and monetary incentives from employers.