Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Health Communication in Public Health

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SVUEK_139
Branch of Science
Earth and related Environmental sciences; Environmental engineering
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Public Health
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Vita Savicka
Structure Unit Manager
Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne
Structural Unit
Institute of Public Health
Contacts

Riga, Kronvalda boulevard 9, svek@rsu.lv, +371 67338307

About Study Course

Objective

Course objective is to create interest in students and in-depth understanding of the organization and feasible strategic communication in the organization and health communication, behavior change interventions and communication. Students acquire knowledge of principles of communication planing and realization, evaluation of communication effectiveness. In practice, students acquire skills in health communication planning and implementation.

Preliminary Knowledge

Not required.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students understand principles of health communication theories, social marketing and health communications nature. Students understand the nature of media work and the principles of cooperation with it.

Skills

1.Knows how to prepare communication plans, as well as materials for target audience's.

Competences

1.Are competent in the multidisciplinary field of health communication.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
• Students are constantly studying literature sources. • Must prepare two groups presentations: social marketing campaigns and health communication campaigns and present them during a seminar. • Report: Communications specifics of the health care sector (7 to 10 pages).

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
-
• Participation in seminars and group work presentation: 30%. • Report grade: 30%. • Examination: 40%.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Communication campaigns typology, principles of compaigs planing. Effectiveness of campaigns.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Communication campaigns typology, principles of compaigs planing. Effectiveness of campaigns.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Health communication theory and approaches.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Audience and use of communication channels.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Forms of cooperation with the media (press releases, press conferences, briefings, initiation, etc.).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Behaviour economics and it's use in health communication.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of communication and discipline of the information society era. Tactical and strategic communication. Health communication.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Behaviour economics and it's use in health communication.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social ecological approach in health communication, social ecological models.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Communication campaigns typology, principles of compaigs planing. Effectiveness of campaigns.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social ecological approach in health communication, social ecological models.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Audience and use of communication channels.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Behaviour economics and it's use in health communication.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Social marketing and planning. Social marketing 7 P analysis. Social behaviour change.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of communication and discipline of the information society era. Tactical and strategic communication. Health communication.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Forms of cooperation with the media (press releases, press conferences, briefings, initiation, etc.).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Behaviour economics and it's use in health communication.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Communication campaigns typology, principles of compaigs planing. Effectiveness of campaigns.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Intervention of behaviour change. Behavior models in behaviour change planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Health communication theory and approaches.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Alan R., Andreasen. Social marketing in 21st century. London. SAGE Publication, 2006

2.

Berry, D. Health Communication: Theory And Practice. New York. McGraw-Hill, 2007

3.

Ewing T., Michael. Social Marketing. New York. Routledge, 2010

4.

Philip Kotler. Ned Roberto Nancy Lee. Social marketing: Improving the quality of life. SAGE Publication, 2002

5.

Renata Schiavo. Health communication: from theory to practice. San Francisco. Jossey-Bass, 2007

6.

Berry, D. Health Communication: Theory And Practice. New York. McGraw-Hill, 2007

7.

Alan R., Andreasen. Social marketing in 21st century. London. SAGE Publication, 2006

8.

Michie, S., Richardson, M., Johnston, M., Hardeman, W., et.al. (2013). The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy of 93 Hierarchically Clustered Techniques : Building an International Consensus for the Reporting of Behavior Change Interventions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9486-6

9.

Davis, R., Campbell, R., Hildon, Z., Hobbs, L., Michie, S., et.al. (2015). Theories of behaviour and behaviour change across the social and behavioural sciences : a scoping review. Health Psychology Review, 0(0), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2014.941722

10.

Kok, G., Gottlieb, N. H., Peters, G. J. Y., Mullen, P. D., et.al. (2016). A taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach. Health Psychology Review, 10(3), 297–312. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2015.1077155

11.

Model, T. S. (2012). The Social-Ecological Model : A Framework for Prevention. Injury Prevention, 4–5.

12.

Area, B., & Delivery, S. (2008). Social Change Communication. Aids, 1–3.

13.

Dutta-Bergman, M. J. (2005). Theory and practice in health communication campaigns. Health Communication, 18(2), 103–122. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327027hc1802_1

14.

Mullainathan, S., & Thaler, R. H. (2015). Behavioral Economics. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences: Second Edition, 437–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.71007-5

15.

Ruben, B. D. (2016). Communication Theory and Health Communication Practice : The More Things Change , the More They Stay the Same 1. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2014.923086

16.

Slater, M. D. (2015). Theory and Method in Health Audience Segmentation. July 1996. https://doi.org/10.1080/108107396128059

Additional Reading

1.

Dennis L., Wilcox, Phillip H.Ault, Warren K. Agee. Public Relations. Strategies and Tactics, 2005

2.

Ronald D. Smith. Strategic Planning for Public Relations, 2005

3.

Savicka, V., & Gorškova, Z. (2020). Sociālekoloģiskā modeļa lietojums uzvedības maiņas komunikācijā. 99–111.

4.

Mckenzie-mohr, D., & Schultz, P. W. (2014). Choosing Effective Behavior Change Tools. 20(1), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524500413519257

5.

Johnston, M., Carey, R. N., Bohlen, L. E. C., Johnston, D. W., Rothman, A. J., Bruin, M. de, Kelly, M. P., Groarke, H., & Michie, S. (2020). Development of an online tool for linking behavior change techniques and mechanisms of action based on triangulation of findings from literature synthesis and expert consensus). August. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa050

6.

Evans, W. D., & Mccormack, L. (2008). in Health Care : Communicating Evidence to Change Consumer Behavior. 781–792. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272989X08318464

7.

Cickusic, V., & Salihbegovic, E. M. (n.d.). Health Communication. 5, 219–222.

8.

Golden, S. D., & Earp, J. A. L. (2012). Social Ecological Approaches to Individuals and Their Contexts: Twenty Years of Health Education & Behavior Health Promotion Interventions. Health Education and Behavior, 39(3), 364–372. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198111418634

9.

Mārtinsone, K., & Sudraba, V. (2016). Veselības psiholoģija.

10.

Hoffjann, O. (2018). The role of play in strategic communication. https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147X17744833

11.

Singaiah, G., & Laskar, S. R. (2015). Understanding of Social Marketing : A Conceptual Perspective. 16(2), 213–235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150914564282

12.

Michie, S. (2011). The behaviour change wheel : A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change. January 2017. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-42

13.

Element, K., & Efficacy, R. (2006). Theories of Behavior Change. 1(1990), 1–6.

14.

Edgar, T., & Volkman, J. E. (2012). Using Communication Theory for Health Promotion: Practical Guidance on Message Design and Strategy. 2005–2008. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839912450879

15.

Panda, A., & Sehgal, A. (n.d.). Impact of Information , Education and Communication on Adolescent Reproductive Health : A Sociological Study of Mandi District , Himachal Pradesh. 3(2009), 445–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/097206340901100301

16.

Lubi, K., Sildver, K., Sokolova, D., Savicka, V., Nool, I., Mets-Oja, S., & Tupits, M. (2022). Existing Health Practices in Shaping the Decision to Participate During Breast Cancer Screening Among 50–69 Years Old Women in Estonia. SAGE Open Nursing, 8, 237796082211242. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608221124293