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Biomedical subjects

S C Ratzan

Publications and source records attributed to S C Ratzan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Health literacy: communication for the public good.

This article builds upon a presentation at the Fifth Global Health Conference on Health Promotion (Mexico City, 9 June 2000), seeking to advance the development of health literacy through effective communication. First, it offers a timely reflection for health promotion epistemology in particular, and the potential approach to framing health promotion activities in general, with health literacy as a bridging concept. The concept of health literacy is briefly explained and defined, followed by identification of some promising communication interventions to diffuse health literacy. Four predominant areas within the communication field are described that shed light on approaches for developing health literacy: integrated marketing communication, education, negotiation and social capital. Each component can contribute to strategic science-based communication. Finally, the article elucidates that communication and developing health literacy are not simple solutions. Communication is not simply message repetition, but includes the development of an environment for community involvement to espouse common values of humankind. With effective communication, worldwide health literacy can become a reality in the 21st century, embodying health as a central tenet of human life.

Educational Status↗
PubMed1998

Access to health information and support: a public highway or a private road?

Information and communication technologies may help reduce health disparities through their potential for promoting health, preventing disease, and supporting clinical care for all. Unfortunately, those who have preventable health problems and lack health insurance coverage are the least likely to have access to such technologies. Barriers to access include cost, geographic location, illiteracy, disability, and factors related to the capacity of people to use these technologies appropriately and effectively. A goal of universal access to health information and support is proposed to augment existing initiatives to improve the health of individuals and the public. Both public- and private-sector stakeholders, particularly government agencies and private corporations, will need to collaboratively reduce the gap between the health information "haves" and "have-nots." This will include supporting health information technology access in homes and public places, developing applications for the growing diversity of users, funding research on access-related issues, ensuring the quality of health information and support, enhancing literacy in health and technology, training health information intermediaries, and integrating the concept of universal access to health information and support into health planning processes.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1995

Ethical decision making in managing trauma.

The major changes in health care delivery today further cloud the perspectives of patient autonomy, participation, and justice and the ideals of the virtuous practice of medicine. A Workable Integrative Negotiation approach with COAST permeating the medical setting and health agenda, however, can help promote effective and ethical participatory communication in medicine. Clearly, instituting such change in a non-surgical decision-making procedure requires a new culture among all participants. The case of traumatic injury provides an excellent back-drop for employing ethical decision making which in the long term can help usher in the most efficacious, ethical treatment for the individual, physician, and society. Additionally, today's omnipresent changes in medicine can help advance ethical directions in health-care decision making. For example adding ethical decision making and negotiation education in curricula for those in medicine, along with allied health professionals, and those who might become patient advocates or serve on ethics committees, can initiate a change in medical decision making. Full-fledged tort reform that allows all alternatives protects physicians and patients when the appropriate decision "to not treat or intervene" is rendered can be an important step toward a healthier society. Instituting an outcome-based reimbursement system among government and providers can serve as a quasi-selection process based on the superseding objectives of the community at large. Finally, a participatory citizenry (from physicians to patients to society-at-large) that balances violence prevention, communication, innovation, community involvement, and appropriate treatment could advance optimal civic health. The challenge is to initiate such change with the communication principles outlined herein.

Decision Making↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The status and scope of health communication.

We examine the field of health communication with a multimethodological analysis, presenting a brief historical synopsis of the academic literature as well as the results of a survey administered to academicians who identified communication and health to be major fields of interest. After this descriptive backdrop of health communication, we offer a prescription for an ideal health communicator--that is, one with an interdisciplinary background--to use ethical, persuasive means to craft, deliver, and evaluate campaigns that promote good health and disease prevention; to plan, influence, and implement health policy; and to employ ethical decision making that will enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities throughout the globe.

Communication↗