Is Harper Lee Killing Her Own Mockingbird? | University of Pennsylvania Prevention Research Center

PRC Researchers in the News

| April 8, 2015

Shining a light on the unexpected release of Harper Lee’s long-withheld manuscript “Go Set a Watchman,” Jason Karlawish, UPenn PRC SIP Investigator, weighs the issues of memory impairment, decision-making, and elder abuse.

Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/mental-health/20150405_Is_Harper_Lee_killing_her_own_Mockingbird_.html#tz8sTEj8pllRirDC.03

Welcome from the Directors

The UPenn PRC is a catalyst for research in chronic disease prevention and a leader in advancing the science and practice of prevention research. Along with our ongoing studies in cancer prevention, cognitive health, and new strategies for weight loss, we’re researching adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancers, the economic impact of clinical trials, and a Penn-community partnership, the Philadelphia Health Leadership Institute. We invite you to learn more about these projects and our dedicated investigators and staff on this website. - Karen Glanz & Kevin Volpp

Q & A Spotlight

Andrew Strasser, PhD, Co-Investigator; Skin Cancer Communication Project
According to your research, smokers ignore warning boxes in cigarette ads. Is there an effective alternative?
In that study, we found embedding health information in the body of the advertisement effectively conveyed risk. In previous research, when we replaced the text-only warning boxes with graphic warning labels, there was increased recall of health risks. Not surprising, our eye tracking results suggest graphic images grab and hold attention more than text-only messages. Mandating risks to appear in the body of advertisements and using graphic health warnings are two good strategies.