From the margins to the mainstream: putting public health in the spotlight: a resource for health communicators

Public health workers must develop essential skills in health communications so as toreach their target community with effective health messages. Many of today’s diseasesare preventable, can be protected against or can be eliminated by awareness of a healthylifestyle. This manual introduces public health workers and advocates to the essential elements of communications (with many examples and models), ranging from smallbrochures or radio interviews, to large campaigns and ongoing projects. It provides guidance in recognizing and combating the ‘hazard merchants’ for whom profits are often atthe expense of a healthy target market. This manual takes its examples from contemporary health problems and dilemmas such as the marketing of alcohol to young people, advocacy for TB protection and the sensitivity required in reporting suicide.