The United States Healthy Living Study

The purpose of this study is to pilot test the efficacy of a patient-centered, tailored message intervention delivered via virtual human technology for increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening within guidelines. Although participation is not limited to these groups, the study team is particularly interested in the feasibility of the intervention for reaching racial/ethnic minority and rural patients.

The primary goal of the study is to reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) morbidity and mortality by increasing CRC screening rates among the at-risk patient community and to reduce racial and geographic (rural vs. urban) disparities in CRC screening and mortality rates. To accomplish this long-term goal, this study aims to develop and test precision messaging tailored to target audiences through development and evaluation of culturally sensitive, interactive messages about CRC screening delivered using VHT. The study will investigate whether interactive, tailored messages contribute to an overall enhancement of knowledge of CRC and screening options by eliciting positive attitudes and behaviors toward FIT screening. To date, there is no other study that has looked to partner specific message strategies and colorectal cancer screening with an emphasis on racial concordance and modality. As such, the researchers hope to shed new light on how, as health communicators, to more successfully engage target audiences to change attitudes and/or behaviors towards getting screened for colorectal cancer.