Health Communication Basics

​Health communication is the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence decisions and actions to improve health. Health education, health promotion, health marketing, and social marketing are all types of health communication. Common objectives for health communication include:
  • Creating messages and materials to influence knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors around a particular public health issue
  • Garnering buy-in and support for health-related initiatives in your community
  • Advocating for programs and policies that promote health
  • Building awareness of health-related products, services, organizations, and brands
  • Building relationships and coordinating with cross-sector stakeholders​

In this section of the #HealthComm Toolbox, you will find information, tools, and resources for:
  • Creating and implementing health communication and social marketing campaigns
  • Writing about public health
  • Visualizing data
  • Using digital and social media for health communication
  • Using branding strategies to promote public health
Resources for Health Communication
These resources will provide the foundational components of health communication, as well as tools and resources to support your efforts:

1. Writing for Public Health

Writing skills are a key part of health communication. Public health writing can include instructional and guidance documents, academic documents, informational documents, organization documents, professional meeting documents, career documents, print media, digital media, social media, outdoor media, or paid media.
Resources for Writing for Public Health
These guides on public health writing will get you started:

2. Data Visualization for Health Communication

Effectively translating health-related information and data to meaningfully engage with stakeholders and build cross-sector relationships is another key part of health communication. Data visualization involves using pictures, graphs, and other visual objects and design elements to clearly and efficiently organize and communicate data or information. The goal of data visualization is to make data and information compelling and easy to digest for target audiences. Data visualization can help with explaining difficult concepts and identifying and displaying patterns, trends, and correlations. Common types of data visualization include static and interactive charts, tables, graphs, maps, infographics, and dashboards.

3. Using Digital and Social Media for Health Communication

Digital and social media are key tools for health information dissemination and behavior change communication. Websites, social media platforms, and mobile applications provide potential channels for:
  • ​​Engaging with target audiences and stakeholders around public health topics and issues
  • Influencing health-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and outcomes
  • Sharing the latest data, findings, and recommendations from public health research and surveillance
  • Circulating information about opportunities for students, professionals, and organizations 
  • Recruiting and following up with participants for public health research studies
  • Providing real-time information and updates during public health conferences, events, and emergencies
  • Connecting with cross-sector and other public health professionals and organizations
  • Building awareness of and engagement with public health brands and branded campaigns and initiatives​
Improve the discoverability and reach of your social media content by incorporating relevant holidays, observances, and hashtags into your marketing and promotion.
Resources for Using Digital and Social Media for Health Communication
​These tools and resources will get you started with using digital and social media for public health communication and marketing: 

4. Branding for Public Health

Branding is a key strategy for raising public health awareness and establishing positive associations with public health behaviors, products, services, campaigns, programs, people, and organizations.
Resources for Branding for Public Health
These resources have additional information on branding for public health professionals and organizations:
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.