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Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention with eHealth Technology in the General Population

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Nutrition, Fitness, and Mindfulness

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Electronic health (eHealth) is an important tool to leverage chronic disease prevention across the lifespan. eHealth technologies transcend geographic boundaries to efficiently deliver programs and information to the general population about physical activity, nutrition, and mindfulness, three critical and modifiable health behaviors to prevent chronic disease. Despite the generally low quality of commercial eHealth programs, patients continue to use them and report positive outcomes. Discouraging patients from using eHealth due to their questionable quality may negatively risk future disclosures and compromise the patient-practitioner dynamic. This chapter provides the current state of eHealth programs for physical activity, nutrition, and mindfulness. It highlights the need for clinicians to engage in proactive discussions with patients about eHealth. Clinicians must understand patients’ motivations and desires for eHealth programs and the process used to achieve their goals. Patients with a high degree of eHealth literacy are more aware of their health-related wants and needs from an eHealth program, and they know how to overcome adversity and negotiate with the technology, program, and other users to achieve that goal. Being aware of the current state of eHealth literacy and the factors that enhance this skill set across diverse audiences at risk for chronic disease is critical for culturally adapting and tailoring conversations to promote its prevention.

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Paige, S.R. (2020). Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention with eHealth Technology in the General Population. In: Uribarri, J., Vassalotti, J. (eds) Nutrition, Fitness, and Mindfulness. Nutrition and Health. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30892-6_16

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