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 .
A randomized controlled trial of a "buddy" systems to improve success at giving up smoking in general practice.
AIMS To assess the effect on abstinence rates of pairing up smokers attending a general practice smokers , clinic to provide mutual support between clinic sessions . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial comparing a " buddy " condition with a " solo condition " in which smokers received the e same treatment but were not paired up . SETTING A general practice smokers ' clinic in London . PARTICIPANTS One hundred and seventy-two smokers recruited by mailshot . INTERVENTION . Smokers attended a nurse-led smokers clinic 1 week prior to their quit date , on the quite date , 1 week later and 3 weeks after that . Smokers in the buddy condition were paired with another smoker trying to give up at the same time to provide mutual support between clinic sessions . MEASUREMENT The main outcome measure was the percentage of smokers still abstinent from cigarettes at end of treatment ( weeks from quite date ) , verified by expired air carbon monoxide concentration . FINDINGS The percentage of smokers still abstinent at the end of treatment was significantly higher in the buddy condition than the solo condition ( 27 % vs. 12 % ) . CONCLUSIONS A buddy system can provide an effective element of a smoking cessation intervention at minimal cost . Further research is needed to establish the long-term efficacy of this approach and examine the effectiveness of incorporating social support into other types of smoking cessation programmes
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 .