PBHL 455

I. Course Title: Health Communication and Social Marketing in Public Health

II. Course Number: PBHL 455

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: PBHL 350

V. Course Description: 

Strategies to plan, implement, and evaluate health communication and social marketing campaigns are explored. Techniques to target an audience and select appropriate channels for public health messaging are examined.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

• Introduction to public health communication
• Understanding and reporting the science
• What to communicate?
• Communicating for policy and advocacy
• Speaking to the public: health literacy and numeracy
• Persuasive health communications: role of theory
• Basics of social marketing
• Developing and evaluating a social marketing campaign
• Strategic health communication plan

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

Method of Instruction: Required Readings/Textbook, Recommended/Supplemental Readings, Class and Small Group Discussions, Student Presentations, Zoom/Collaborate, Slide Presentations 

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe best practices for social marketing and communications in public health.
2. Tailor health messages to target audiences.
3. Select appropriate channels and tools for communication public health messages.
4. Evaluate the success of public health messages and campaigns.

Program Outcomes:

1. Prepare students to enter the public health workforce and/or graduate programs in public health, health education, health promotion, or other health-related fields.

2. Provide students with the required coursework and knowledge in the seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists to be eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination:

• Area I: Assess Needs, Resources and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion
• Area II: Plan Health Education/Promotion
• Area Ill: Implement Health Education/Promotion
• Area IV: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion
• Area V: Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion
• Area VI: Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person
• Area VII: Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

• Introduction Questions
• Syllabus Quiz
• Chapter Quizzes
• Group Project
• Group Presentation
• Exams - 2
• Zoom Sessions - 3

Review and Approval

August 2020