A framework for health promotion and disease prevention programs.

There is a disquieting sense that many theoretically based health behavior change programs have been only minimally effective. Part of the problem may be that most current theories have considerable overlap, primarily focus on intraindividual and other individual-level variables, and tend to neglect the environment and issues related to program implementation. A framework is developed for health promotion and disease prevention programs that makes use of epidemiological and health indicator data and Healthy People 2000 goals to prioritize efforts, provides a schema to formulate programs on the basis of timing (prevention) and level of intervention, and addresses the marketing approach to target and implement programs. The framework integrates current theories to guide marketing and phases of research.