Newswise — Washington, DC (January 7, 2013) — Flu season is upon us and medical experts are saying that this year’s flu season is one of the worst in recent memory. Compounding the situation, according to the Centers for Disease Control, flu season may run even longer than usual. With so many people at risk of getting sick, what is the best way to communicate messages that motivate citizens to get vaccinated?
Members of The National Communication Association who study health communication can provide insight into the following:
• Which messages are most effective in convincing people to get a flu shot?• What are the greatest challenges faced in communicating positive health messages?• Which health messages resonate well with underserved populations?
WHO: Jennifer Gray, Ph.D.Department of Communication, Appalachian State UniversityShe studies persuasive health message design and health behavior change, health presentations in the media, and health education.
Gary Kreps, Ph.D. Department of Communication, George Mason UniversityHis research focuses on health communication and promotion, information dissemination, and risk management.
Christy J. Ledford, Ph.D.Biomedical Informatics, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesHer research focuses on physician-patient communication and patient-centered care. CONTACT: To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Arlyn G. Riskind at [email protected] or 202-534-1104.
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About National Communication AssociationThe National Communication Association (NCA) advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. The NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, the NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems.
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