We found little evidence of effectiveness of HRLAs for promotion of exercise/improved diets .
Conclusions Overall , there is limited evidence suggesting that HRLAs are cost-effective in terms of changing health-related knowledge , behaviours or health outcomes .
The evidence that does exist indicates that HRLAs are only cost-effective when they target behaviours likely to have a large impact on overall health-related quality of life .
Background Development of new peer or lay health-related lifestyle advisor ( HRLA ) roles is one response to the need to enhance public engagement in , and improve cost-effectiveness of , health improvement interventions .
This article synthesis es evidence on the cost-effectiveness of HRLA interventions aim ed at adults in developed countries , derived from the first systematic review of the effectiveness , cost-effectiveness , equity and acceptability of different types of HRLA role .
Evaluation of a culturally appropriate smoking cessation intervention for Latinos
Background : Many believe that smoking cessation programmes for Latinos should be tailored to the values and beliefs of the culture . However , r and omised studies of culturally appropriate smoking cessation interventions with Latinos are rare . Methods : Latino smokers ( n = 313 ) were r and omised to an intervention condition or a comparison group . The intervention was a three month programme based on social cognitive constructs and delivered in the smoker ’s home by trained lay health advisors , or promotores . Comparison group participants were referred to the California Smoker ’s Helpline in Spanish . Predictors of abstinence among all participants also were examined . Results : About one week post-intervention , vali date d ( carbon monoxide ) past week abstinence rates were more than twice as high in the intervention group ( 20.5 % ) than in the comparison ( 8.7 % ) ( p ≤ 0.005 ) . The pattern of results held for self reported abstinence , and after recoding dropouts to non-abstinence . The primary predictor of abstinence was number of cigarettes smoked per day at baseline , a common measure of addiction . Conclusions : The culturally appropriate intervention facilitated abstinence in Latino smokers , at least in the short term . Strengths and weaknesses of the study are discussed
We found little evidence of effectiveness of HRLAs for promotion of exercise/improved diets .
Conclusions Overall , there is limited evidence suggesting that HRLAs are cost-effective in terms of changing health-related knowledge , behaviours or health outcomes .
The evidence that does exist indicates that HRLAs are only cost-effective when they target behaviours likely to have a large impact on overall health-related quality of life .
Background Development of new peer or lay health-related lifestyle advisor ( HRLA ) roles is one response to the need to enhance public engagement in , and improve cost-effectiveness of , health improvement interventions .
This article synthesis es evidence on the cost-effectiveness of HRLA interventions aim ed at adults in developed countries , derived from the first systematic review of the effectiveness , cost-effectiveness , equity and acceptability of different types of HRLA role .