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- Title
The Contributions of Health Communication to Eliminating Health Disparities.
- Authors
Freimuth, Vicki S.; Quinn, Sandra Crouse
- Abstract
This article discusses the significance of public health communication in the elimination of health disparities in the U.S. The pressing need to eliminate health disparities calls on public health professional to use every effective tool possible. Health communication, defined as the study and use of methods to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance health, was first recognized as a subset of the field of communication in 1975, when the Health Communication Division of the International Communication Association was founded. The federal government has recognized the contributions of health communication. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed an office of communication in 1996 with the purpose of diffusing the science of health communication throughout the agency. According to the National Cancer Institute, health communication can increase the intended audience's knowledge and awareness of a health issue, problem or solution; influence perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes that may change social norms; prompt action; demonstrate or illustrate healthy skills; reinforce knowledge, attitudes or behavior; show the benefit of behavior change; advocate a position on a health issue or policy; increase demand or support for health services, refute myths and misconceptions; and strengthen organizational relationships.
- Subjects
UNITED States; MEDICAL communication; PUBLIC health; HEALTH education; HUMAN services
- Publication
American Journal of Public Health, 2004, Vol 94, Issue 12, p2053
- ISSN
0090-0036
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2105/AJPH.94.12.2053