Once a public health program is developed, how might you promote the program? What strategies might you use? What marketing product might you create?

Marketing strategies, such as social marketing, flyers, and word-of-mouth communication, are often used to promote health programs. These strategies allow the public health professional to encourage their target audience to become involved the program.

When determining which strategies to use, it is important to match them appropriately to the target audience. For instance, if your program goal is to reduce teenage smoking, taking advantage of social marketing may allow you to reach your targeted audience.

However, if your goal is to reduce senior citizen hip and bone fractures caused by falling, social media may or may not be the most effective form of communication.

To Prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 11 of the McKenzie text. Pay particular attention to marketing strategies.

• Review Chapter 12 of the Doyle text and consider the use of advocacy strategies for marketing your public health program.

• Create a marketing product for your public health program including a name, slogan, and any other unique aspects to promote your program.

• Think about marketing strategies you would use to promote your public health program.

With these thoughts in mind:

Doyle, E. L., Ward, S. E., &Oomen-Early, J. (2010). The process of community health education and promotion. Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press.

• Chapter 8, "Implementation Processes"

• Chapter 12, "Advocating for Community Health Needs"

• Appendix F, "Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession"