Message Effects Lab
Messages matter. They can influence our health-related behaviors by shaping our decisions, emotions, and motivation. How do you know which health messages will have the right effect? We can help.
Together with the Perelman School of Medicine, the Annenberg School is pleased to support the work of the new Message Effects Lab (MEL). Because many well-intentioned health messages have no effect or even “backfire” by decreasing healthy behavior, MEL uses empirical evidence to identify the most promising messages for behavior change interventions. When the message matters, we use science to craft it.
We can support your goals if you want to:
- Apply advances in psychology and message effects
- Tailor intervention approaches to your unique research needs
- Leverage validated methods and theory
- Determine what works best and why
Some examples of recent success:
- Working with Penn Medicine, we have identified message content that reduces Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy.
- Working with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, we have developed text message content that increases flu vaccination appointment scheduling and actual vaccination.
Questions about collaboration? Contact Us.
Director, Message Effects Lab
Email: jessica.fishman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Media inquiries: hannah.messinger@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
