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Text4Health

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Text4Health is a mobile health research program that uses text messages to remind individuals of due-dates for vaccinations. Text4Health has implemented and evaluated its intervention in different populations regarding flu vaccines, HPV vaccines, meningitis, and others.

Goal / Mission

Text4Health aims to improve immunization rates in urban, underserved, low-income populations via text messaging.

Results / Accomplishments

In one study, text message reminders were sent to a random sample of 195 parents whose children aged 11-18 years needed either or both meningococcal (MCV4) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunizations. Receipt of these vaccines at 4, 12, and 24 weeks was compared between the intervention group and age- and gender-matched controls. Around twice as many adolescents with intervention parents received either or both MCV4 and Tdap at weeks 4, 12, and 24 (p<0.005).

Text message reminders were also successful in a study on its effects on influenza vaccination rates. Among 7,574 children and adolescents randomly assigned to intervention and control groups, the text message intervention was associated with an increased rate of influenza vaccination (difference=3.7%, p=0.001).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Columbia University Physicians and Surgeons, Mailman School of Public Health, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Organization(s)
Columbia University Physicians and Surgeons, Mailman School of Public Health, New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Date of publication
2012
Geographic Type
Urban
For more details
Target Audience
Teens, Adults, Women