One does not fit all: Health audience segmentation and prediction of health behaviors in cancer prevention

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to propose a health belief model-based approach to segmenting health audiences in order to improve targeting of cancer prevention efforts. This study also examines how the identified health segments differ in cancer prevention behaviors. Using data from the 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey, a cluster analysis resulted in three distinct health audience groups: (a) health aware, (b) health at risk, and (c) health in confidence. MANOVA tests indicate that these segments differ significantly regarding healthy diet and exercise. The findings inform cancer prevention campaigns targeting priority audiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Audience segmentation
• cancer prevention behaviors
• cluster analysis
• health belief model