Media campaigns reduce disability from back pain

Population based primary prevention interventions that provide explicit advice about back pain improve beliefs about back pain in the general population and also improve knowledge and attitudes in general practitioners. In addition they may reduce workers' compensation claims, days compensated for, and medical payments for back claims. Buchbinder et al (p 1516) performed a before and after survey in 4730 members of the general population and 2556 general practitioners in two states in Australia to evaluate the effect of a public health campaign using the media in 1997. Television commercials aired in prime time slots gave evidence based advice directed towards staying active and not resting for prolonged periods and remaining at work. In addition, the campaign included billboard advertising, workplace visits, and publicity articles. An educational booklet, The Back Book, was also made widely available.

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Relevant Article

Population based intervention to change back pain beliefs and disability: three part evaluation

Rachelle Buchbinder, Damien Jolley, and Mary Wyatt
BMJ 2001 322: 1516-1520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]