Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

January 2003

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

Volume

20

Issue Number

2

First Page

205

Last Page

227

DOI

10.1081/CRP-120021081

Disciplines

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | Other Public Health | Psychology | Public Health | Social Work

Abstract

This article describes elements of effective health communication and highlights strategies that may best be adopted or adapted in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Studies have documented the utility of multidimensional approaches to health communication from the macro level of interventions targeting entire populations to the micro level of communication between health care provider and consumer. Although evidence of health disparities in LGBT communities underscores the importance of population-specific interventions, health promotion campaigns rarely target these populations and health communication activities seldom account for the diversity of LGBT communities. Advances in health communication suggest promising direction for LGBT-specific risk prevention and health promotion strategies on community, group, and provider/consumer levels. Opportunities for future health communication efforts include involving LGBT communities in the development of appropriate health communication campaigns and materials, enhancing media literacy among LGBT individuals, supporting LGBT-focused research and evaluation of health communication activities, and ensuring that health care providers possess the knowledge, skills, and competency to communicate effectively with LGBT consumers.

Comments

Copyright © 2003 Informa Healthcare. The published version of the article may be found online at: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1081/CRP-120021081.

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