Efficacy of Health Communication via Media

For a long time, interpersonal face-to-face communication has been the only means to discuss health-related issues, e.g., during the doctor-patient encounter or among family members and friends. With the diffusion of mass media – print, radio, and TV – this has changed and it became possible to convey health-related topics via the media to a broader audience at the same time. Eventually, the development of new technologies such as the Internet enabled yet another possibility of both mass and interpersonal mediated health communication. This scenario makes media knowledge and competence to deal with diverse media fundamental for delivering effective health communication messages, from traditional public health campaigns to eHealth and mHealth interventions. This course provides students with both theoretical and practical knowledge of the role played by the media in the context of health, alternating front lectures, student presentations and group discussions.