Communicating Health Risks to the Public

This course explores health risk communication approaches and strategies, focusing on their practical application in real-world scenarios. Students learn how to use the power of effective communication to advance informed decision-making about public health issues. With a keen eye on the dynamics of interpersonal, organizational, and mediated channels, students delve into the nuances of crafting impactful messages that evoke predictable effects and facilitate positive outcomes. Students gain insights into how communication shapes the public’s experience of health risks, as well as how to manage emotions and conflicts and address contemporary communication issues, including infodemics and misinformation.

Additionally, a trauma-informed approach is utilized to gain insights into the prevalence and consequences of trauma, how it influences behaviors and decision-making, and the intersection with crisis communication. One of the highlights of this course is its focus on cultivating public speaking skills. Students learn to navigate complex public health topics with confidence, empathy, and a commitment to clear, authentic, and trustworthy communication.

This course is highly experiential, offering ample opportunities to put theory into practice. A diverse range of communication materials will be produced, encompassing written documents and multimedia presentations. Students will gain the skills necessary to create compelling, evidence-based, and accessible content tailored to diverse stakeholders.