This article is a guide for researchers interested in assessing the effectiveness of serious computer-based games (or video games, digital games, or electronic games) intended to improve health and health care. It presents a definition of health games, a rationale for their use, an overview of the current state of research, and recommendations for…

Health educators are described as having the primary teaching objectives of (1) reduction of premature death rates; (2) reduction of incidences of serious disabling diseases; and (3) promotion of intelligent, self-directed health behavior. Stress is examined as a major factor in ill-health among today's youth, and a rationale is presented for…

Health contracting is a useful structure to guide and facilitate lifestyle and behavior changes and to promote self-control and responsibility. An investigation of college students' attempts to change health behaviors through contracting is reported. Health instruction and contracts appear to affect, and to have some lasting effects on, students'…

Results indicate that the described program is an effective learning device for altering negative health behavior patterns and for reinforcing positive health care activities. (LH)