eGames - eHealth Marketing
Introduction
Electronic games, or eGames, are interactive games that are played through an electronic application such as the Internet, a video game console, or a mobile phone. New research shows that egames are not just for teens. In fact, one fourth of all gamers are over 50 years of age (see eHealth Data Brief on eGames for more information).
eGames Research
In June 2007, CDC sponsored an eGames meeting in order to explore ways for CDC to take a more active role in the development of egames for public health. Twelve experts in the field of interactive games participated in the meeting, giving informative presentations and contributing to discussion with CDC staff.
Outcomes of the meeting revealed the need for development of standards to guide research and evaluation of egames and their impact as well as the need for clearly defined priority areas for new egames to target. CDC is in the process of developing guidelines and target areas in order to expand the research behind this innovation. Check back for the full report from this meeting.
Public Health Impact
Several eGames have been shown to improve health in a variety of target audiences and for a number of health issues, such as increasing physical activity, combating dementia, and improving medical compliance in cancer patients. eGames can also provide a fun and innovative way to reach new audiences with pertinent and targeted health messages.
Public Health Partners
Games for Health
The Georgia Institute of Technology
Hollywood Health and Society
HopeLab
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Serious Games Initiative
Data
eGames Data Brief (
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Page last modified on April 14, 2008