Advocacy in Health Communication

Advocacy for public health includes representing, speaking for, or elevating the voices of people affected by public health issues; facilitating communication between those affected and policymakers; and organizing or supporting coalitions and other initiatives around public health issues. Whether it’s writing letters, sending emails, or meeting with the media, policymakers, or stakeholders of an industry or community, advocacy for public health plays an important role in advancing public health goals.

In this section of the #HealthComm Toolbox, you will find information, tools, and resources for:
  • Combatting misinformation
  • Communicating with cross-sector agencies and organizations
Resources for Advocacy in Health Communication
These guides and toolkits can inform your public health advocacy efforts: 

1. Combatting Health Misinformation

Health misinformation includes rumors, myths, conspiracy theories, and other unproven claims regarding health-related data or information that are false or misleading. Health misinformation continues to be a widespread problem online, and can create confusion and cause people to make decisions that are detrimental to their health. Combatting health misinformation (and also disinformation) is a must for public health professionals and organizations.
Resources for Combatting Health Misinformation
​These resources will help with identifying and reporting health misinformation:

2. Cross-Sector Communication for Public Health

Cross-sector communication is a must for public health professionals and organizations, because the social determinants of health span several non-health sectors, including: 
  • Housing, community planning
  • Transportation, motor vehicle supervision, and highway safety
  • Climate, energy, conservation, and environment
  • Human and social services 
  • Public safety, law enforcement, and corrections
  • Business and economic development
  • Faith-based, charitable, civic and professional organizations
  • Education systems
  • Parks and recreation
  • Courts and judiciary systems
  • Public works and infrastructure
  • Agriculture and food safety
Resources for Cross-Sector Communication for Public Health
These tools and resources will help you in your efforts to communicate and coordinate with representatives from public, nonprofit, and private entities across sectors.
Need help with your health communication?
Let's Talk Public Health can conduct and support your health communication, marketing, promotion, and education-related activities. We provide services for digital communication and marketing, digital media design, edutainment and experiential learning, digital engagement, health branding, and capacity-building.