Most wellness programs assume that the first step to changing habits is education. Whether in the form of a wellness website, nurse line, wellness fair, lunch and learn, newsletter or paycheck stuffer, the assumption is always the same: If people only knew what good health habits were and why they should practice them, they would surely make the right choices. If you, too, think that education is an effective behavior change tool, think again.
In the 1950s, cigarettes were endorsed by Santa Claus, actually recommended by doctors (as a treatment for asthma no less!) and even as late as the early nineties, some hospitals allowed nurses to smoke at their stations. During those times, Joe Public could be forgiven for being confused about the health risks of smoking.
