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. 2023 Oct;16(3):231-238.
doi: 10.1080/17538068.2023.2192579. Epub 2023 Mar 22.

Communicating about the social determinants of health: development of a local brand

A Susana Ramírez  1 , Kiely Houston  2 , Clancey Bateman  2 , Zabrina Campos-Melendez  1 , Erendira Estrada  1 , Kathleen Grassi  3 , Eliana Greenberg  2 , Katie Johnson  1 , Stephanie Nathan  3 , Raquel Perez-Zuniga  1
Affiliations

Communicating about the social determinants of health: development of a local brand

A Susana Ramírez et al. J Commun Healthc. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Successful comprehensive population-based approaches to chronic disease prevention leverage mass media to amplify messages and support a culture of health. We report on a community-engaged formative evaluation to segment audiences and identify major themes to guide campaign message development for a transformative health communication campaign.

Methods: Four key phases of campaign development: (I) Formative evaluation to identify priorities, guiding themes, and audience segments (interviews/focus groups with residents, N = 85; representatives of community-based partner organizations, N = 10); (II) Brand development (focus groups and closed-ended surveys; N = 56); (III) Message testing approaches to verbal and visual appeals (N = 50 resident intercept interviews); (IV) Workshop (N = 26 participants representing 15 organizations).

Results: Residents were engaged throughout campaign development and the resulting campaign materials, including the campaign name and visual aesthetic (logo, color schemes, overall look and feel) reflect the diversity of the community and were accepted and valued by diverse groups in the community. Campaign materials featuring photos of county residents were created in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Plain language messages on social determinants of health resonate with residents. The county was described as a sort of idyllic environment burdened by inequality and structural challenges. Residents demonstrated enthusiasm for the campaign and provided specific suggestions for content (education about disease risks, prevention, management; information about accessing resources; testimonials from similar people) and tone.

Conclusions: Communication to support a policy, systems, and environmental change approach to chronic disease prevention must carefully match messages with appropriate audiences. We discuss challenges in such messaging and effectiveness across multiple, diverse audiences.

Keywords: Latino; Rural health; community health planning; community-engaged research; health promotion; mass media; social determinants of health.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Policy, Systems, and Environment Model of Community Change, supported by three distinct communication approaches
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Phases of campaign development and results from each phase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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