Current and Future Change in Communication - Assignment Example

 1. How might social media be effectively used to communicate with consumers? The rapid expansion and growth of communication technology is due to continuous participation of consumers in the social media. For any organization, research is needed to be done in order to understand these technologies and their impact on health communication (Pre, 2004). First, the organization must identify the different groups of social media users and monitor them periodically in order to understand the growth (and development) of the social media. Secondly, the organization must identify the changes in information requirements of the social media users over time (Pre, 2004). Previous research indicate that an organization may maximize the efficiency of using social media if it provides adequate health related information on social networking sites. Additionally, the organization must put into consideration age and gender when communicating the information. In most instances, the organization must target youths who are more likely to access social media platforms compared to individuals above the age of 55 years. 2. Identify a communication campaign. Why has it changed over time? How might it be adapted for future use? Health communication campaigns are used by media organizations to deliver quality information in promoting health safety and behavioral changes in order to maintain a healthy living. In this regard, media organizations have advertised several healthcare products with an aim of creating awareness. In the United States, several campaigns emphasizing on safe sex practices and use of condoms such as the “Great American Condom Campaign” play a significant effect on reducing unwanted pregnancies as well as spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (Pre, 2004). The campaign has undergone several transitions in its struggle to promote safe sex from mere advertisements on the importance of using condoms. Currently, the campaign has introduced the “amplify project” where high school and college students register as members and distribute condoms within their institutions. In addition, the project also trains the members on providing peer counseling services to their colleagues on sexual reproductive health as well as the rights and freedoms of young people. The campaign aims to register as many students as possible with an ultimate goal of gaining global recognition in the fight against HIV and sexually related diseases. 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of health news coverage in the mass media? Mass media provides a platform in which health care providers disseminate information about its products to potential customers. In this regard, the communication of information is quick and detailed. The media provides immediate delivery of important information during emergencies or disease outbreaks to millions of individuals. Additionally, the media disseminates information on pharmaceutical advancements, as well as information on new disease outbreaks, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The media provide review platforms where individual give their perspectives on health related interventions (Pre, 2004). However, the media also provides wrong information to the public because of limited research and wrong interpretations. In this regard, the media is often biased and selective on areas in which it researches on and may distort the information obtained. Moreover, many journalists often rush into providing shocking medical news that concentrate on the side effects of drugs or publishing specified health interventions as harmful even though they are beneficial to the individuals. In addition, the media industry may provide wrong information in order to benefit from marketing profits. 4. What are some advantages and drawbacks of using interactive computer technology to educate people about health? Interactive computer technology has a significant contribution in health education. It is not only more effective compared to the traditional health education, but also facilitates the patients to acquire more information on different health programs available in a health care facility. Additionally, a patient also becomes aware of the different healthcare programs at his disposal as well as their effects. Ultimately, a patient attains adequate health information and is able to make decisions on the appropriate health intervention that will improve his health. Additionally, many patients prefer the use of interactive computer technology due to its ability to simulate real life experience, timely availability, and provision of confidential learning environment, diversity of information and individualization of information (Pre, 2004). However, the education systems face several drawbacks. In this regard, the interactive method limits the need for the patient-educator relationship, which is essential for psychological support. Additionally, illiterate and physically challenged individuals cannot learn. Moreover, the education method is often unsuitable for young children and the elderly. 5. Name some tips for avoiding health scams and for using the Internet wisely The internet provides an environment where individuals can access medical products and services. However not all websites provide genuine products. Fraudsters have created websites that sell well-marketed and branded products. The products range from anti-aging pills, as well as body toning ant other therapeutic services. Most of the fraudsters have conned their clients and resulted to adverse health complication and death (Pre, 2004). As a result, the US government has introduced a massive campaign that advocates for consumer protection. In this regard, before purchasing online health products, a consumer must know his sellers in terms of their physical and postal address. Additionally, one must use secure money wiring process and constantly read the periodic bank statement to ascertain all bills. Individuals must consult their doctors before buying health products to avoid harmful reactions and side effects. 6. How does television viewing seem to affect children's eating habits and knowledge of nutrition? Many nutritionists have attributed obesity and poor nutrition especially in young children to television viewing. In this regard, nutritionists believe that children’s food preferences are obtained throughout the learning process. The television plays a significant role in a child’s learning process and may have long lasting effects on his diet preferences. Usually, most media organizations will often run numerous advertisements on unhealthy foods while programs on healthy foods are disregarded (Pre, 2004). As a result, a child will hold high regard for fatty food and diet soda due to the attractiveness of its advertisement. Additionally, television viewing limits the time spent by a child in physical exercises and encourages a child to consume more snacks and fatty food. The snacks have many calories, resulting to obesity in young children. As adults, individuals who grow up with poor habits pass these characteristics to their children resulting in a spiral effect where future generations have the same diet problems. 7. Using the knowledge gap hypothesis, explain why people of low socioeconomic status are often under-informed about health issues The Knowledge gap hypothesis explains that knowledge disparity occurs within a given society. In this hypothesis, individuals with a higher social-economic status acquire detailed and quality information at a faster speed compared to those in the lower social-economic status. As a result, a knowledge gap is formed between the individuals in the two social-economic classes. Concerning health, lower class individuals are at a disadvantage since they have lowered educational and employment opportunities (Pre, 2004). In this regard, these individuals are likely to suffer from illiteracy, unemployment, poor housing and high dependency. Moreover, the employed individuals have to work many jobs in order to meet basic needs. Moreover, these individuals are exposed to pollution, poor sanitation and inadequate health facilities. As a result, lower class individuals have high disease preference and high disease mortality rates due to limited access to quality health care. In addition, poor nutrition and unhealthy diets also lowers the body immunity systems resulting to poor health. 8. Do you believe people should pay more for health insurance if they engage in risky or unhealthy behaviors? Why or why not Health insurance is an area of controversy especially when individuals take up policies based on unhealthy nature of their lifestyles. In the United States, the health insurance policies have subsidies the cost of public and private healthcare products. Usually, many individuals tend to overuse their policies since they have been forced by the government to take up these policies that they do not want. In this regard, most patients fail to acquire high quality healthcare and expose themselves to more risks due the Medicare benefits that include free access to public healthcare facilities (Pre, 2004). Most medical practitioners would advocate that individuals who expose themselves to risky and unhealthy behaviors pay ore insurance especially when the behavior is avoidable. In this regard, they believe that such individuals waste medical resources that would be used in treating genuine cases. However, social analysts disregard the opinion since the increased medical insurance would adversely affect low-income earners who work in high-risk occupations and unhealthy working conditions. Reference Pre, A. (2004). Communicating About Health: Current Issues and Perspectives (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages Read More