Communicating with the community

TLDR: Communicating with the community is a key component of health promotion and a public health unit producing a television campaign to promote the benefits of childhood vaccination to parents would aim for increased rates of age-specific immunisation rates in local communities.

Abstract: [Extract] Communicating with the community is a key component of health promotion. Health promotion strategies are most effective when members of the target community are engaged from the outset. To achieve this level of engagement, clear communication between health professionals and community members is essential. Communication is a process for transferring information from one person or place to another, using verbal, written or visual methods. The information is sent, received by others who in turn process the information. Interpretation of information is a critical juncture in this process, particularly when the sender wants a specific outcome from the endeavour. For example, a public health unit producing a television campaign to promote the benefits of childhood vaccination to parents would aim for increased rates of age-specific immunisation rates in local communities. In order to achieve their aim, the message delivered must be clear, succinct and able to be understood by the target recipients (Kreps & Sparks 2008).