Strategic Public Health Communication

Catalog description

Public health efforts are usually dependent on people changing their behavior, attitudes, or perceptions. Communication is a key component of facilitating that change. Even if behavior change is not the goal, ensuring that communication is relevant, acceptable, relevant and clear is essential. This course helps students understand the influence of communication in public health and how to use theory to identify the barrier(s) to the desired behavior for a particular audience. Students will learn how to conduct an audience analysis in order to develop targeted, relevant, compelling and accessible communication products. Over the term, we will incorporate theory, best practices, design principles, examples, critiques, cultural and literacy considerations, and exploration of various communication forms for different audiences and needs.