RIT Seeks to Improve Health Communication to Create Healthier Communities

Symposium features Rep. Eric Massa and Assemblymember Susan John

William Dube

Nov. 25, 2009

Most health-care experts agree that the communication and marketing of information on healthy lifestyles, current diseases and cures, and health care policy and delivery is central to strong community health and the efficient operation of the health care system as a whole.

In an effort to improve health communication and better inform the public on its role in the health care system, Rochester Institute of Technology is hosting the Health Communication Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Louise M. Slaughter Building on the RIT campus.

The event, sponsored by RIT’s Department of Communication, features leading scholars and community leaders in the field discussing the latest research and best practices in health communication. Rep. Eric Massa and Assemblymember Susan John will serve as keynote speakers for the event, discussing health communication, politics and public policy.

“Health communication is an extremely important but little understood component of the health care system,” notes Tracy Worrell, assistant professor of communication at RIT and director of the symposium. “Through the discussion of research and current efforts in the development and use of health communication we hope to better understand its impact and enhance its use in improving public health.”

The symposium will also feature representatives from the Democrat and Chronicle, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Rochester General Hospital discussing topics such as health reporting, health campaigns, health and wellness and occupational safety and health.

“This symposium will provide the audience with very valuable information about the breadth of health communication across many unique fields,” notes Worrell “During this time when health care is at the forefront of concerns in society, it is important for the Rochester community, especially students, to know about this important topic.”

For more information about the event including a full schedule, visit www.rit.edu/cla/communication/hcom/index.php. The symposium is free and open to the public.