Social Network Diffusion of Individual Behavior Change Interventions Virtual Workshop

Large-scale behavior change is often conceptualized as resulting from widespread dissemination and implementation of behavioral interventions that have been developed for individuals or other small social units, such as the dyad or family. Efforts prioritize direct administration of an intervention to all individuals within a target population. An alluring but underexamined alternative model for producing large-scale behavior change involves leveraging social network dynamics across the lifespan. By strategically administering interventions that draw upon our understanding of social networks and social influence within them, we may effectively change behavior in people who themselves never directly received the intervention. This workshop focused on gaps, opportunities, and strategies for leveraging or strengthening social networks to enhance the reach of individual behavior change interventions to promote healthy aging, slow cognitive decline and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), and improve outcomes for persons living with AD/ADRD and their care partners.

A meeting agenda (PDF, 270K) is available.

The full workshop report (PDF, 697K) is available.