Why peer crowds matter: Incorporating youth subcultures and values in health education campaigns

M.B. Moran, M.W. Walker, T.N. Alexander, J.W. Jordan and D.E. Wagner

American Journal of Public Health, 2017, vol. 107, issue 3, 389-395

Abstract: Grounded on research showing that peer crowds vary in risk behavior, several recent health behavior interventions, including the US Food and Drug Administration'sFreshEmpirecampaign, have targeted high-risk peer crowds. We establish the scientific foundations for using this approach. We introducepeer crowd targeting as a strategy for culturally targeting health behavior interventions to youths. We use social identity and social norms theory to explicate the theoretical underpinnings of this approach. We describe Fresh Empire to demonstrate how peer crowd targeting functions in a campaign and critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of this approach. By replacing unhealthy behavioral norms with desirable, healthy lifestyles, peer crowd-targeted interventions can create a lasting impact that resonates in the target audience's culture.

Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303595_3

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303595

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