Since the key to effective health communication lies in its ability to communicate well, some of its core problems are those that relate to the sharing of meaning between communicators. In elaborating on these problems, this paper offers two key propositions: one, health communication has to pass through the filter of a particular world view that creates a discrepancy between expected and actual message reception and response. Two, the assumption of a rational human actor made implicitly by most health psychological models is a contestable issue, as many times message recipients do not follow a cognitive judgment process. The phenomenon of resisting health messages by reasonable people asks the question whether we ought to rethink our adherence to a particular vision of human health as many times the adverse reaction to behaviour modification occurs as the result of a particular dialogical or discursive situation. At the same time, most motivational decisions in people's daily routines are automatic and use a concept known as self-identity to give stability to their behaviour patterns. Finally, health communication as part of organised government practices adheres to predominant value perspectives within health promotion practice that affect the manner in which health issues become problematised. This paper proposes a humanistic model that aims to pay attention to the intricacies of human communication by addressing all of the above problems in turn. It interprets the sharing of meaning element in human communication and addresses the question of how the idea of health is created through discourse. As such, it offers a complementary and constructive paradigm and set of approaches to understand health, its meanings and communication.

Purpose. From our previous clinical work with overweight/obese youth, we identified the need for research to create an effective weight management intervention to address the growing prevalence of adolescent metabolic syndrome. Formative assessment through an adaptive community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was conducted toward the development of a nutritional and physical activity (DVD) and clinician toolkit for a school-based health center (SBHC) weight management intervention. Methods. We first conducted parent and adolescent interviews on views and experiences about obesity while convening a community advisory council (CAC) recruited from two participating urban New Mexico high schools. Thematic findings from the interviews were analyzed with the CAC to develop culturally and developmentally appropriate intervention materials. Results. Themes from the parent and adolescent interviews included general barriers/challenges, factors influencing motivation, and change facilitators. The CAC and university-based research team reached consensus on the final content of nutrition and physical activity topics to produce a DVD and clinician toolkit through six monthly sessions. These materials used in the SBHC intervention resulted in a greater reduction of body mass index when compared to adolescents receiving standard care. Conclusions. Formative assessment using an adaptive CBPR approach resulted in the creation of culturally and age appropriate weight reduction materials that were acceptable to study participants. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00841334.

/ For many years, international radio broadcasting has been used by nations around the world as a foreign policy tool. As the world political system changed following the end of the Cold War, so the importance of international radio broadcasting to some nations has changed. Although there has been some scholarly work devoted to international radio broadcasting, such work has focused mainly on the station and has neglected the system in which the station operates. This article uses systems theory and organizational communication principles to develop a framework for analyzing how and why nations are using international radio broadcasting.

Obesity is not a problem exclusive to the United States. The European Union Commission for Health and Consumer Protection admits that obesity is the major emerging threat to public health in Europe. As a recent survey suggested that the prevalence of obese men and women has approximately doubled in both countries within the last 20 years, this study compares the message elements and linguistic tactics used in either campaign of those two countries to highlight differences and similarities. The current US obesity prevention campaign is based on sound research and preparation and disseminates memorable and inspiring messages. The educational, help-for-self-help focus on the individual disseminated through mass media is a trademark of this campaign. The German campaign attempts to interact extensively with the public, local government and the professions, and focuses on public participation in healthy behaviors, generally emphasizing call-to-action activities over educational media messages. This study maintains that obesity communication research should find ways to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness and success rate of efforts taking place in other areas and other countries. In addition, in order to facilitate active thought about health messages in the absence of a perceived need, introduced guidelines relating to presentation of content and linguistic variables that motivate cognitive effort should be considered.

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