Health Behavior And Communication Analysis

To understand Health behavior and the association with HIV/AIDS Storey et al. believed that defining communication and knowing the effectiveness of it can shed some light on how it can be used in a positive way to reach those that may otherwise be unreachable. The authors defined Communication as a “fundamental human process without which most individual, group, organizational, and societal activities could not happen, including how people think about and respond to HIV/AIDS” (2015, p. S241).

Storey et al. wrote that communication scientists recognize that communication works at different levels as they seek to understand the different channels of communication that can work effectively in the public health arena (2015). These channels include the television, which communicate nonverbal words, sound and text. We also have the use of cell phones which transmit oral and visual communication.

Researchers over the years have used many forms of communication, but Storey and colleagues believed that the four major ones that are effective are Information-seeking, persuasion, social connection and social structure.

As noted by the authors even though these forms of communication can be successful, they do not have any effect on the disease AIDS. What communication does is that it has a “powerful effects on knowledge, attitudes, social norms, risk perceptions, and behavioral decisions” (2014, p. S243). Communication must be between the health care worker as well as the sick patient. If the health care worker provides good care by helping the sick patient understand the benefit of taking medication, eating healthy and understanding the health risk of the disease then both the healthcare worker and the patient will have good

results.
I believed that the implementation of the mobile technologies is a big step in bridging the relationship between healthcare workers and their patients. In saying that I am also aware of the negative side of the mobile technologies. Depending on the type of technology, patients will be able to easily access their health information instead of having to wait days or weeks before returning to their physician. Patients can also research health information to educate themselves as well as sharing the information with family and friends. As for cell phones, this is probably the most successful and effective technology as cell phones are found in almost every country in the world and it is one of the easiest mode of transporting information effectively. Patients can make appointments; avoid missed calls from the doctor office etc. We are seeing cell phones in some of the poorest countries and this is an effective tool for both healthcare workers and the community. At the same time, we must be mindful that this type of technology can open the doors to hackers who can steal patient information. This can be a very stressful situation to be in knowing that some of your most private information is out there in the hands of the unknown.