2021 Volume 29 Issue 3 Pages 290-297
Background: The Japan Society of Health Education and Promotion Nutrition Education Committee has been conducting research that combines theory and practice. This article is a summary report of the 2020 annual committee workshop themed “Utilizing Nudge for Health Behavior.” It is difficult to change people’s behavior even when they have an accurate understanding of their health risks. Many practitioners of health education and health promotion are keenly aware of the difficulty of behavior change. For future, a strategy that strengthens the elements of behavioral economics in conventional health education is expected. The “nudge” is gaining traction in the Japanese national and local governments.
Contents: The workshop included 70 participants who applied in advance. The workshop itself consisted of 1) online seminar about “Fun nudge training that can be understood in three hours,” 2) group work and dissection by participants using an example, and 3) group presentation and lecturer commentary. Of the 70 participants, 68 participated in a survey after the workshop. Of those, 67 (99%) answered that they were satisfied with the workshop. Reasons for satisfaction included “I gained new knowledge through specific examples, group work and presentations,” as well as “The lecturer's comments were positive,” and the nudge itself.
Conclusion: We discussed the thinking of nudge for health behavior is a similar thinking as health education. We hope to organize the theories, models, etc. that have been used in health education for the nudge, and continue to promote activities aimed at establishing and practicing better health behaviors of people.
