Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Health Communication in Digital Age
Course Code
SZF_148
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Health Management; Information and Communication Science; Public Health
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Līga Ozoliņa
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of this course is to provide an in-depth exploration of how digital technologies are transforming health communication strategies, practices, and outcomes. Students will engage with both foundational theories and cutting-edge research to critically examine how digital platforms—from social media and mobile health apps to telemedicine and online health forums—shape public health behaviors and decision-making. The course will emphasize the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital health campaigns while addressing key challenges such as health misinformation, digital health literacy, privacy, and cross-cultural communication.
This course equips students with the skills and critical perspectives necessary to lead and innovate in the evolving field of digital health communication.
Preliminary Knowledge
No pre-requisite knowledge required.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Upon successful completion of the study course, advanced understanding of health communication theories and how they are applied in digital age. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the digital (media) landscape and its impact on public health outcomes. This course will provide studens with opportunity to learn about the emerging trends such as AI, virtual reality, and wearable health technologies, and their potential to revolutionize health communication.
Skills
1.During the course students will gain the ability to analyze and plan effective health communication in a digital environment. Students will also have hands-on experience applying design thinking methodology for health communication campaign/solution creation.
Competences
1.The course will develop competencies to use digital solutions to carry out health communication.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
• Study of scientific literature.
• Information and real-life example gathering, analysis for completion of course tasks.
• Case analysis, description and presentation.
• Work outside of lectures on the development of a health communication challenge project.
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||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
10% participation in lectures and seminars.
20% health communication example / case analysis (individual work).
10% health communication challenge formulation, user research (group work).
20% ideation and prototyping of solutions for health communication challenges (group work).
20% presentation of solution for health communication challenge and testing results (group work).
20% written exam (individual work).
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||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Health Communication and Advanced Theories in Health Communication
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to Health Communication and Advanced Theories in Health Communication
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Health Literacy & Disinformation of Health in Digital Environment
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital Solutions for Health Organization Communication with their Clients and Partners: Engagement and Interactivity
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital Tools and Platforms for the Public Health Content and Campaign Communication; Engagement and Interactivity
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Crisis Communication & Public Health in the Digital Age
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Crisis Communication & Public Health in the Digital Age
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital Health Communication Campaigns
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital Health Communication Campaigns
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital communication solutions: from ideation to prototype
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital communication solutions: from ideation to prototype
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Future of Health Communication in the Digital Age
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health. (Essential Public Health). 3rd Edition.
2.
Health Communication: Strategies and Skills for a New Era. 1st Edition. 2020.
Additional Reading
1.
Social Support and Health in the Digital Age (Lexington Studies in Health Communication).
2.
Modernizing public health communication competencies in Canada: A survey of the Canadian public health workforce.
3.
Searching for Health: The Smart Way to Find Information Online and Put It to Use. A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book.
Other Information Sources
1.
WHO principles for effective communications