Using franking machine messages to promote health

Abstract

OVER a 12-month period, the Oxfordshire Health Unit experimented with the addition of four different health promotion messages to all franked mail leav ing the unit. Each message was evaluated by enclos ing a return questionnaire in a sample of the mail. More than half the respondents read the messages (before seeing the questionnaire). Of all those who read the messages, 40 per cent said they would take some action as a result. Four out of five people thought the idea a good one. Using the evaluation results — including observed differences between the messages, some guidelines were created on the use of this relatively cost-effective form of health promotion.