CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) Practice

The primary goal of health communication strategies is to change behavior through various communication channels. This focus on behavior change is essential because effective health communication aims to inform and motivate individuals or communities to adopt healthier behaviors, make informed health decisions, and engage in preventive health practices. By utilizing diverse communication channels such as media campaigns, educational resources, and community outreach, health communication strategies can effectively reach and resonate with the target audience, ultimately transforming knowledge into actionable behaviors. This approach leverages the clarity, frequency, and methods of communication to address health-related issues, making it possible for individuals to understand health risks and the benefits of healthy choices, which is critical for public health improvement. While changing legislation and policy, improving individual physical health, and forming coalitions among community members are important aspects of public health initiatives, they are not the primary goal of health communication strategies. Instead, these elements can often be outcomes or supportive actions that may result from successful behavior change facilitated by effective communication.