Healthcare in the U.S .Health Literacy, public health messaging project in which you have been involved - Essay Example

HIV/AIDS PROJECT al Affiliation) HIV/AIDS PREVENTION PROJECTPublic health involves the science of preventing, protecting, and improving the living standards of people by highlighting the need of living a healthy lifestyle. Public health officials and professionals conduct research on the diseases, how to prevent them and finally find solutions on how the diseases are to be detected and controlled. The importance of an HIV/AIDS campaign is to give more information on the interpersonal strategies that are useful in reducing or eradicating the HIV/AIDS menace.

The spread of HIV/AIDS is significantly dependent on human behavior such as drug use and sexual acts (Singhal, 2003). Communication then proves to be vital in disseminating information that help reduce the transmission of the deadly virus while as this information also helps in reducing social stigma.Messages in HIV/AIDS campaigns are; creating awareness to the public on overall effects of HIV/AIDS, telling on the advantages of voluntary testing and counseling. Other messages include encouraging the use of condoms to help curb the spreading of HIV infections and STD’s.

As well as informing the public on the improvements and developments made on treatment of HIV/AIDS.Messages on voluntary testing and counseling and those of encouraging the use of condoms have proved to yield many positive results. These process yield results because the use interpersonal means of communication is incorporated. In interpersonal communication, one can relay message to the recipient on an individual basis or targeting of small groups of people. It is deemed to be the most effective way of passing the message since sensitive matters that relate to sexual behaviors are highlighted (Ruggiero, 2007).

In addition, when relaying the message there is an easier harmonization of the content of the message considering the application of the existing traditions, norms, and values? These words became active because time does not bind the use of interpersonal means of communication. People who need tests or counseling can visit the relevant centers at their convenient time. These messages have proved also to be effective since the number of people who engage in irresponsible sexual acts that may lead to spreading of the virus has greatly reduced.

Also according to recent research, the number of people who use condoms as a form of protection has increased (Singhal, 2003).However, messages on creating an overall awareness on the effects of HIV/AIDS and the developments on treatment did not seem to have been affected too many people. It is mainly because the channels of information were not quite effective .the only best way to disseminate information to a large number of people is through mass media. The use of mass media proves to be less effective since there are restrictions to taking of private and delicate issues that affect the human sexuality behavior.

This restriction is in place since the general population comprises of people of a different religion, race, and age group.Several things can be done improve the HIV/AIDS campaign and messages. There should be an inclusion of support materials that enhance better acceptance and credibility of the message. These support materials can either be booklets, audio CDS, pamphlets or even text messages, and they should be made available at all campaign times (Ruggiero, 2007). During campaigns, presentations should be done on a two-sided argument technique.

This technique can help to improve the effectiveness and reliability of the message since it captures the attention of the audience.In addition, it is necessary to use visuals to enhance the impact of the message. The advantages with visuals always portray the messages in a more attractive manner hence a good delivery of the message to the population. Visuals have many advantages than other materials; this is because they enhance longer periods of retaining messages while overcoming language barriers.

ReferencesSinghal, A. (2003). The children of Africa confront AIDS: From vulnerability to possibility. Athens: Ohio University Press.Ruggiero, A. (2007). Public health. Detroit [i.e. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press.