"Health Comm!" is honestly the first thing I thought of when my alarm clock went off on Monday morning at 6:45am. I have been waiting to take 663 ever since the day I saw PH 663 Health Communication listed as a required class for HP students in the SDSU Graduate Bulletin. There it was. Listed under PH Research Methods & Proposal Writing, how could Health Comm not sound enticing? My roommate Kacy, a Communication major herself, handed me her Health Comm textbook and told me the class would be, and I quote, "Absolutely Fabulous."
So, I'm back to school after a summer of working, traveling, and relaxing, and... I LOVE IT! After just 2 hours and 40 minutes of 663, I think my roommate was right. I'm new to this whole blogging thing, and I know very little about advertising, communication theories, campaign development, and all that comm stuff, but I am super excited to learn about it.
The 1st day of 663 was quite eye opening. We watched CDC Health Communications: The First 50 Years. Great video. Short but sweet. As the title implies, the video highlights all the major public health issues from the past 50 years. Decade by decade, the video shows how public health issues have changed and the different ways in which they have been advertised. These issues include smoking, vaccinations, safe sex, vehicular safety, mammograms, healthy eating, breastfeeding, drug use, and many more. Personally, the video reminded me just how broad public health is and the many public health issues that exist. I realized that I often get so involved with my passion for obesity prevention, healthy eating, and physical activity that I forget health promotion incorporates so many other public health issues.
When asked what would be included in the next video for the CDC (2000-2050), obesity and diabetes immediately came to my mind. Other concerns included skin cancer and global warming. Some students thought there might be a cure for AIDS or an end to all crazy fad diets. It's hard to predict what the major public health issues will be in the next fifty years, but one thing I learned from the short 10 minute video is that there will be many and they will be changing!
