Health Communication Basics
Define health communication
Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Difference between an HMO and a PPO
An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) requires members to use in-network providers and get referrals for specialists, while a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) allows more flexibility, including out-of-network care, often at a higher cost.
Define third-person effect in media influence
The third-person effect is the belief that others are more influenced by media messages than oneself, which can lead to underestimating personal susceptibility to misinformation.
Define risk communication
Risk communication involves sharing information about potential health threats to help individuals and communities make informed decisions.
Define a primary prevention campaign
A campaign that promotes behaviors to prevent diseases before they occur, such as vaccination or smoking prevention.
Name the three main models of health
biomedical, biopsychosocial, or sociocultural
Purpose of a catastrophic cap in health insurance
A catastrophic cap is the maximum out-of-pocket amount a person must pay in a given year, after which the insurance company covers all remaining costs.
Social media influencers shape health behaviors
Social media influencers can shape health behaviors by spreading health information (or misinformation), setting trends, and encouraging engagement in health-related actions such as dieting or vaccination.
The Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Model
The CERC Model provides guidelines for communicating effectively during crises, emphasizing trust, early messaging, and clear instructions.
Define audience segmentation and why is it important in health campaigns
Audience segmentation divides a population into subgroups based on shared characteristics (age, beliefs, risk level) to tailor messages more effectively.
Four benefits of health communication
1.Promote Well-Being: Educate individuals and communities on health practices.
2.Influence Behavior: Encourage healthy decision-making and risk management.
3.Build Relationships: Foster trust between patients, providers, and communities.
4.Advocate for Equity: Address health disparities and amplify marginalized voices.
Name two advantages and two disadvantages of the Affordable Care Act
Advantages: Expanded healthcare coverage, prevented denial due to pre-existing conditions. Disadvantages: Increased costs for some individuals, complex regulatory requirements.
Name and describe one effect of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising
Increased patient awareness—Patients learn about treatment options and may discuss them with doctors, but this can also lead to overmedication and unnecessary prescriptions.
Two key challenges in keeping the public informed about health crises
Misinformation spread and public distrust in health authorities.
Define message framing and its role in health promotion campaigns
Message framing involves presenting information positively (gain-framed) or negatively (loss-framed) to influence behavior.
Explain the social-ecological model in health communication
⚬Health behaviors influenced by four interrelated factors:
1.Individual preferences
2.Relationships
3.Community resources
4.Societal factors (e.g., public policies)
⚬Example: Walking behavior in older adults
Explain the concept of a single-payer healthcare system
A single-payer system is a healthcare model where the government provides universal health insurance, covering all citizens through taxpayer funding.
Define media literacy and explain why it is impt. for health communication
Media literacy is the ability to critically analyze and evaluate media messages for accuracy, bias, and intent. It helps people avoid misinformation and make informed health decisions.
Name two communication strategies effective for handling public health risks
Message framing (adjusting how information is presented) and social mobilization (engaging communities for collective action).
The three components of the Health Belief Model
1. Perceived susceptibility (belief in risk)
2. Perceived severity (seriousness of the risk)
3. Perceived benefits (belief in the effectiveness of an action)
Transactional model of communication applied to healthcare interactions
⚬Collaborative sense-making: Co-created meanings.
⚬Multiple levels of meaning: Content and relational levels.
⚬Ongoing and co-occurring
⚬Context and culture: “Webs of significance” (Geertz, 1973).
Health disparities impact to healthcare services
Health disparities create unequal access to care due to factors like income, education, geography, and systemic biases, leading to worse health outcomes for marginalized groups.
Explain the concept of the echo chamber and how it affects health communication
An echo chamber is an environment where people are exposed only to information that reinforces their beliefs, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and contributing to misinformation and polarization.
List and describe WHO’s five recommendations for risk communication during a crisis
Explain the connection between the Extended Parallel Process Model and fear-based messaging.
The EPPM suggests that fear appeals work only if people feel both high threat (fear) and high efficacy (belief they can take effective action). Otherwise, they may ignore the message or react defensively.