Harnessing the internet to promote public health and health information literacy
After reading this basic introduction of health communication, check out our other health communication articles:
While health communications can come through many avenues (individual conversations, classes, the internet, etc.), they all fit one general description:
“Health communication is the science and art to advance the health and well-being of people and populations.” ~ Society for Health Communication
Believe it or not, this is an entire multidisciplinary field of study. Boiling complex medical or scientific ideas down into understandable language is hard enough. On top of that, though, a health communicator needs to be able to critically appraise research, understand learning theory, and have a solid grasp on evidence-based, effective communication strategies.
Health communication on social media
As a professional discipline, health communication is relatively young–dating back only to the end of the 20th century. In its early years, it existed largely through print and television campaigns–and mostly was devoted to big public health issues.
Some of the earliest adds were devoted to raising awareness around and de-stigmatizing HIV/AIDS.
Much effort was also spent on anti-drug use campaigns. If you lived through the 1980s, the one to the right should be familiar. It is undeniably memorable, though its success was questionable.
With the advent of the internet–especially social media–health communication has exploded. Messages that, at one time, could only reach the subscribers of a particular magazine or watchers of a show can now potentially reach anyone who uses Instagram or Facebook.
This has also brought about the colliding of health communication and social media "influencing". When done well, it can be a wonderful way to translate health and wellness information. When not done well, it can grow skepticism, mistrust, and anger–even result in needless death.
Again, check out our other health communication articles!
Reference:
Society for Health Communication (n.d.). About health communication. SocietyForHealthCommunication.org. Retrieved on June 12, 2022, from https://www.societyforhealthcommunication.org/health-communication
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