Health Communication Strategies For Health Promotion: A Review
C M Ugwuegede Ph.D
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria
N E Eze
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria
S N Okoli M.Sc
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu State, Nigeria
Keywords: Health, Health Promotion, Communication Strategies
Abstract
Health is wealth is a well known adage especially when it is effectively promoted with good strategies including communication. This paper reviewed health communication strategies for health promotion. The paper aimed at providing information regarding the concept of health, health promotion and health communication strategies. Health promotion involves enabling people have increased control over, and to improve health in order to live healthier lives. Living a healthier life therefore, may empower individuals and communities to modify their attitude to choose healthy behaviours and possibly minimize the risk of developing chronic diseases. The paper also reviewed the different levels of health promotion namely primary, secondary and tertiary levels of of health promotion. The reported health promotion strategies includes medical approach, behavioural change, educational approach, client centered approach and societal change approach. The paper also looked at communication as a good medium of conveying health behavioural change in people especially if appropriate strategies are sufficiently applied. The identified communication strategies in expert reports includes; primary communication strategies, secondary communication strategies and tertiary communication strategies. The benefits of proper communication strategies for health promotion are also highlighted. The paper subsequently concludes that health communication is necessary in promoting the general well-being of the individual and the communities. In addition, the healthcare delivery system of a nation will be functional to the citizens if proper communication system is adopted. Based on that, it is recommended among others that efforts should be intensified in organizing community based enlightment programmes on accepting modern health communication processes and also that proper utilization of resource materials should be intensified. Health communication should be incorporated into the health education curriculum at all levels of education in order to equip health educators/providers with adequate knowledge concerning communications and communication strategies on health related issues.