• Principal Investigator: Mary E. Charlson, M.D.
• Institution: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Grant Number: 1 R01 HL62161091
• Program Official: Dr. Peter Kaufmann

This study uses an innovative approach to enhance behavior change by providing risk profile information framed as the opportunity to reduce one's present "biological age" as opposed to avoiding some future risk of events, which is the standard risk reduction approach. Preliminary data provided in the application strongly support the hypothesis that patients adopt behavior change more readily when risk profiles are translated into terms representing gain in net-present value, rather than promise of future gain, a concept adopted from economics. The research team has extensive experience in clinical trials and strong cooperation of cardiologists with access to a large number of angioplasty patients from which 660 study participants will be recruited. The theoretical approach to behavior change proposed was cited for its uniqueness and high potential to advance knowledge of health behavior change.

Investigators