3.2 Outline the range of health promotion communication methods

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Outline the range of health promotion communication methods.

Health promotion aims to help people improve their health and wellbeing. It involves sharing information, advice and guidance that can influence attitudes and behaviour. Communication methods are at the centre of this process. The way information is shared can affect how well people understand it and choose to act on it.

Different populations, age groups and communities respond differently to each method. This is why it is important to know the range of ways health messages can be communicated. A method that works in one situation may not be effective in another. Choosing the right approach can make a big difference to engagement and results.

Face-to-Face Communication

Face-to-face communication is the most direct way of sharing health information. It allows for personal interaction and immediate feedback.

This can take place during:

• One-to-one sessions with a healthcare worker
• Group discussions in a community hall
• Classroom-style education sessions
• Home visits by health and social care staff

Advantages include:

• Direct eye contact and body language help build trust
• Opportunities to ask and answer questions
• Clearer understanding as the message can be adapted on the spot

Challenges include:

• Limited to a smaller number of people at one time
• Requires both parties to be present in the same location
• Can be time-consuming for staff

This method is often used in clinical settings, community outreach, or when discussing sensitive subjects such as sexual health or mental wellbeing.

Printed Materials

Printed methods remain widely used in health promotion. These include leaflets, posters, booklets and fact sheets.

Advantages include:

• Information can be taken away and read later
• Useful for reinforcing messages given in a conversation
• Can reach people in waiting rooms, libraries, schools and workplaces

Examples:

• Posters about flu vaccinations in GP surgeries
• Flyers on healthy eating in community centres
• Booklets on managing diabetes available from pharmacies

Potential limitations:

• Some people may have difficulty reading due to literacy levels
• Printed materials can be ignored or discarded
• Information can become out of date quickly

To improve effectiveness, printed materials should use simple language, clear images and accessible design. Translating materials into different languages can help reach more people.

Digital and Online Communication

Websites, email newsletters, social media posts and mobile applications are now common tools in health promotion. They allow messages to be shared quickly and to large groups.

Examples include:

• NHS websites providing condition-specific advice
• Social media campaigns promoting vaccinations
• Mobile apps for tracking exercise or medication

Advantages:

• Can reach a wide audience across different locations
• Easy to update information in real time
• Can use video, audio and interactive content to engage viewers

Limitations:

• Some people may not have internet access or be confident online
• Information can be mixed with unreliable sources
• Requires regular updates and monitoring to keep effective

Health professionals should promote reputable sites to prevent misinformation and encourage safe online use.

Broadcast Media

Television and radio have been used for decades to promote public health messages. This method can reach millions of people at once.

Common uses:

• Public service adverts about stopping smoking
• News segments on health advice during an outbreak
• Radio interviews with health experts

Advantages:

• High reach and visibility
• Can convey messages using sound, visuals and emotion
• Suitable for community-wide awareness campaigns

Limitations:

• Expensive to produce and air
• Viewers or listeners may not be the intended target group
• Limited opportunity for interaction or feedback

Broadcast media tends to work best for raising awareness rather than giving detailed instructions.

Group Education Sessions

Group sessions include interactive workshops, seminars, or health classes delivered to a small or large audience.

Examples:

• Parenting classes covering child nutrition
• School-based talks about alcohol and substance misuse
• Community exercise sessions linked with talks on preventable illness

Advantages:

• Group discussion can build shared motivation
• People can learn from each other’s experiences
• Activities can be practical and hands-on

Drawbacks:

• May not suit very private or sensitive subjects
• Requires suitable venues and transport for attendees
• Group dynamics can affect participation

Using visual aids and practical demonstrations can increase engagement.

Peer Education

Peer education involves training individuals from a target group to share health messages with their peers. This approach is common in youth work and community development projects.

Advantages:

• Messages come from trusted and relatable sources
• Can help overcome barriers linked to age, culture or language
• Encourages local ownership and participation

Examples:

• Teenagers trained to promote safe sexual health practices to classmates
• People with lived experience of mental illness leading workshops for others in recovery
• Community leaders hosting sessions in local languages

Challenges:

• Requires careful training and support
• Peer educators must have accurate and up-to-date knowledge
• Impact can vary depending on peer relationships and group culture

Visual and Creative Arts

Art-based communication can be powerful for health promotion. This includes theatre performances, murals, photography exhibits or short films.

Examples:

• Street theatre on the dangers of drug misuse
• Community art projects promoting mental health positivity
• Photographic posters showing real stories of healthy lifestyle changes

Advantages:

• Creative engagement can grab attention
• Can reach people who do not respond to written information
• Encourages community participation in creating the message

Potential challenges:

• May require funding, materials and artistic skills
• Interpretation of art can vary, affecting message clarity

Telephone Communication

Telephone calls and helplines can be used for health promotion and advice.

Examples:

• NHS 111 service offering health guidance
• Quitline services for people who wish to stop smoking
• Follow-up calls to check on progress after a health workshop

Advantages:

• Can be more personal than email or text
• Immediate answers to questions
• Accessible to people without internet but who have a phone

Limitations:

• Limited to audio, so no visual aids
• May need trained staff on call at set hours
• Harder to build rapport than in person

Text Messaging (SMS)

SMS can be used for short, timely messages or reminders.

Examples:

• Appointment reminders
• Prompts to take medication
• Motivational messages to support healthy lifestyle programmes

Advantages:

• Quick and direct communication
• Low cost for bulk messaging
• Works on most mobile phones without internet

Challenges:

• Limited message length
• Risk of messages being ignored
• Not suitable for complex or detailed explanations

Community Events and Campaigns

Local events give opportunities to share health promotion face-to-face in a public space.

Examples:

• Health fairs with information stands
• Free screening events for blood pressure or cholesterol
• Nutrition stalls at community festivals

Advantages:

• Can attract people who may not attend formal healthcare settings
• Creates opportunities for informal conversation and trust-building
• Allows practical demonstrations like cooking workshops or exercise sessions

Drawbacks:

• Dependent on people attending the event
• Resource-heavy to organise and staff
• Impact may be reduced if there are many competing attractions at the event

Signs and Public Notices

Health messages can be communicated using signs, banners, and public notice boards in schools, workplaces, transport hubs, or community spaces.

Examples:

• Handwashing signs in toilets
• Banners outside health clinics promoting immunisation days
• Roadside signs warning about drink-driving

Advantages:

• High visibility in everyday spaces
• Can reinforce other communication approaches
• Often low maintenance once installed

Limitations:

• May be overlooked if seen too often
• Needs to be brief and clear to be read quickly
• Can become worn or damaged over time

Combining Methods

Using a mix of communication methods often improves message delivery. For example:

• Start with a TV advert to raise awareness about flu jabs
• Provide detailed advice on a leaflet available in GP surgeries
• Share appointment booking information through text messages

Combining approaches allows messages to reach people in different ways and at multiple points of contact. This increases the chance of the information being noticed, understood, and acted upon.

Adapting for Different Audiences

When planning health promotion, communication must consider:

• Age group
• Language and literacy levels
• Cultural norms
• Disability or sensory needs
• Access to technology

Adapting methods avoids excluding people. For example:

• Using Braille or large-print materials for people with visual impairment
• Providing British Sign Language interpreters at events
• Offering interpretation services for non-English speakers

Evaluating Methods

It is important to check if the chosen communication method achieved its goal. Evaluation can involve:

• Surveys asking people what they learned
• Attendance figures at events
• Website visits or hotline calls after a campaign

Feedback helps improve future communication. If one method shows poor results, another can be tested.

Final Thoughts

Health promotion relies on clear, accessible and appropriate communication. There is no single method that suits all situations. The best results come from understanding the audience and using methods that fit their needs and preferences.

It is helpful to blend different approaches, such as combining face-to-face conversation with written leaflets and online follow-up. This means messages are reinforced and people have more than one chance to engage with the information.

For workers in health and social care, knowing the full range of communication options gives more flexibility. This supports reaching more people, breaking down barriers, and giving everyone the opportunity to make informed choices about their health.