The Internet and new media platforms, such as YouTube, have increasingly been utilized by local and state public health departments to communicate information and health messages to large audiences. For this assignment, you will review a series of videos on YouTube playlists of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (https://www.youtube.com/user/NYCHealth/playlists) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (https://www.youtube.com/user/lapublichealth/playlists). View at least two videos by each of these health departments.
In a paper of 1,250-1,500 words, critique how successfully the public health department has communicated information and health messages in each video. Include the following in your critique:
- A description of the health issue that is the focus of the video.
- A critique of whether this new media platform was leveraged to its full potential.
- An evaluation of whether the communication and health messages were engaging and had the potential to mobilize the community, including building constituency relations, engendering strategic partnerships, or engaging community organizations and leaders.
- An assessment of the cultural appropriateness of the message with regard to the intended audience, including how cultural competence is important in communicating public health content.
- An overall judgment on whether the communication and health message was effective for the intended audience. Include any recommendations or suggestions to improve the health communication or health message. Use the examples and evidence from the research literature to support your recommendations.
Incorporate three to five resources to support your critique.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The utilization of new media platforms such as YouTube has been on the rise by local and state public health departments to communicate health messages and information to large audiences. This assignment requires the review of videos from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on YouTube. In a 1250-1500 word paper, a critique on how successfully each public health department communicated health messages and information in their respective videos will be provided.
1. Description of Health Issue in the Video:
The first video I reviewed from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was titled “Quit Smoking: A Family’s Journey to Quit” and focused on the harmful effects of smoking and cessation strategies. The second video was titled “NYC’s Meningitis Vaccination Campaign” which focused on informing the public about the Meningococcal vaccine.
The first video from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, titled “Living with Asthma in Los Angeles County” discussed how to manage asthma and the importance of preventive measures. The second video, “Sexually Transmitted Diseases Campaign” emphasized the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of testing.
2. Critique on Whether the New Media Platform was Leveraged to its Full Potential:
Both public health departments primarily utilized YouTube as a platform to communicate their health messages. While the use of videos on YouTube is commendable, there appears to be a lack of diversity in the use of new media platforms. The health departments could have utilized other platforms such as social media networks like Facebook and Twitter to reach a larger audience.
3. Evaluation of Whether the Communication and Health Messages Were Engaging:
The videos I reviewed were engaging and informative, providing clear health messages that could mobilize the community towards taking action. Both public health departments conveyed health messages that were easily understood and provided clear and concise explanations for the general public.
4. Assessment of the Cultural Appropriateness of Health Messages with Regard to the Intended Audience:
Both public health departments made efforts to ensure that the health messages in their videos were culturally appropriate for their intended audiences. The Meningitis Vaccination Campaign by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had messages in multiple languages, while the video from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, “Living with Asthma in Los Angeles County” was conducted in Spanish.
5. Overall Judgment on Whether the Communication and Health Message was Effective for the Intended Audience:
The communication and health message in the videos reviewed were effective. Both health departments were successful in providing clear health messages that had the potential to mobilize the community towards action. While there is always room for improvement, the health departments should be commended on their efforts.
Recommendations:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health could expand their reach by utilizing social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to reach a larger audience. Additionally, the health departments could consider utilizing different media platforms such as podcasts, webinars, and other multimedia channels to reach a diverse audience. Overall, improving the use of new media platforms can help health departments achieve their goal of communicating messages that improve public health outcomes.
Resources:
1. Kreuter, M. W., De Rosa, C., Howze, E. H., & Baldwin, G. T. (2004). Understanding wicked problems: A key to advancing environmental health promotion. Health Education and Behavior, 31(4_suppl), 441-454.
2. Lee, J. G., Griffeth, V., Patel, R., & Schillo, B. A. (2019). Engaging vape shop retailers in the prevention of underage vaping. Tobacco Control, 28(2), 184-188.
3. National Cancer Institute. (2018). Health communication and health information technology. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/crchd/crhc-health-communication-tech.
