Library - Texting Toolkit

Explore this library of case studies and other resources to help you get a better idea of types of public health text message programs and ways to design and implement them.

Market Research

Personalization of Messages

Health Care Reform Project (from Public Health - Seattle & King County)

Health Promotion

Smoking CessationNaughton F, Jamison J, Sutton S. Attitudes towards SMS text message smoking cessation support: a qualitative study of pregnant smokers. Health Educ Res. 2013;28(5):911-22. doi:10.1093/her/cyt057
This study assessed the attitudes of pregnant women attempting smoking cessation toward receiving behavioral advice and support messages via SMS. Personalization, personal relevance, and the salience of the messages were all identified as factors that increase the value of the text messages and reduce the risk of disengagement.
Weight LossShapiro JR, Koro T, Doran N, et al. Text4Diet: a randomized controlled study using text messaging for weight loss behaviors. Prev Med (Baltim). 2012;55(5):412-7.doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.08.011.
In this study, overweight and obese adults received daily interactive and personally relevant text messages. Though receiving messages was not associated with weight loss, adherence to text message interaction was associated with better weight-related behaviors.
Physical ActivitySirriyeh R, Lawton R, Ward J. Physical activity and adolescents: an exploratory randomized controlled trial investigating the influence of affective and instrumental text messages. Br J Health Psychol. 2010;15(Pt 4):825-40. doi:10.1348/135910710X486889.
In this study, researchers found that, among adolescents, affective text messages (messages about enjoyment) were more effective at increasing physical activity than instrumental text messages (messages about benefits).
These and other examples of the success of different personalized texting plans can be found in this Health Promotion Case Study list.

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Implementation and Technology

Health Care Reform (from Public Health - Seattle & King County)
What 2 Know B4 U Text (Washington State Journal of Public Health Practice)
Investing in a text messaging system (Northwest Public Health)
Considerations when selecting a text messaging vendor (from Public Health - Seattle & King County)
Health department texting policy (from Public Health - Seattle & King County)
Health department texting plan template
Life Cycle of a Text (video)
Web-Based Interface (video)
Second Dose Flu Vaccine Reminder (video)