Health communication research

A collection of new behaviour change communication research to help you write health content that will resonate with your readers and promote behaviour change.

Writing about heart disease? Explore the latest research into heart disease communication.

Browse some of the latest public health research about anti-drinking messages and alcohol communication.

A collection of research about kids health and communication strategies to help kids live healthier lives.

Learn how to write more effective content about cancer-related topics.

Read the latest scientific evidence for smoking prevention strategies, tobacco control and health communication research.

Learn about new breastfeeding communication strategies and research, and discover how to communicate more effectively for better results.

We already know that adults around the world are prolific internet users. But what about teens and young people – do they have the same internet behaviours as adults?

If you write online health content for the general public, should you consider upskilling in a bit of humour?

We know that people turn to user-generated content on social media to research their health concerns, but how influential is this health information?

And, more importantly, how does this type of influence impact the health content we create?

While there are many evidence-based writing techniques we can use to engage readers to try and get their full, undivided attention, controlling how our readers react to bad news is just as important as engagement. So, if you’re working on a project that requires you to deliver bad news, what’s the most appropriate communication strategy?

Fear mongering and scare tactics are used in public health campaigns to drive behavioural changes. We see fear in headlines for online articles, food label warnings, pamphlets and brochures. But how effective are these fear-based messages?

A US research team aimed to determine the natural indicators of uncertain language and understand how these indicators predict decisional conflict.

Health buzzwords like ‘protein’, ‘paleo’ and ‘organic’ are used by marketers as key selling points for many of today’s health products. Yet these words can also trick consumers into believing a product is healthier than it really is.

As health writers, we focus a lot of our energy on knowledge. We write ‘how to’ articles about eating better, exercising more, breaking bad habits, making healthy choices and reducing risk factors. We offer knowledge – but, we rarely sell the desire to change.