Course Description
Foundational survey of health communication theory, research and practice at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community and societal level, focusing on development of health messages and campaigns to achieve behavior change. Includes media effects, persuasion, messaging, media relations, entertainment education, health literacy, risk and crisis communication, social media, patient-practitioner communication and more.
Athena Title
Public Health Communication
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HPRB 7310E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: • Apply theories from communication, psychology, sociology and other fields to the practice of health promotion • Strategically select and employ a tool-kit of proven communication tactics • Effectively communicate health and risk information to lay and professional audiences • Create informational and persuasive communications. • Integrate health literacy concepts in all communication and marketing initiatives. • Develop formative and outcome evaluation plans for communication and marketing efforts. • Prepare dissemination plans for communication programs and evaluations. • Propose recommendations for improving communication processes.
Topical Outline
Interpersonal & mass communication Media effects Persuasion Social networks Media advocacy Entertainment education Visual communication Health literacy and numeracy Computer-mediated communication and social media Risk communication Crisis communication Audience analysis Message development Cultural communication Campaigns