Grants
Beta Eta Research Award Recipient, 2009-2009
Lauri Hartjes, MS, PNP
The Role of Feedback in a Web-Based Game Targeting Malaria Risk Reduction Decision-Making
Laurie Hartjes' research examines primary prevention for protection against zoonotic and vector-borne diseases within an ecosystem framework of the effects of global environmental change on human health. Using perception and decision making science, she is developing an on-line Web-based game for study abroad students to raise their awareness of and knowledge about malaria risk, and to develop prevention decision-making skills. While youth have unique developmental vulnerabilities related to risk taking behaviors and increasing numbers are traveling to regions of the world that present significant health risks to travelers, a previous on-line survey identified gaps in their knowledge of health risk and prevention behaviors, and a lack of resources available to them. The games and simulations she is developing invite young adult learners to test assumptions and knowledge in a protected context to enhance their ability to engage in prevention behaviors when confronting risk situations in reality. Her future goals are to develop additional interactive resources tailored to the needs of specific risk populations for use on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization Websites.