About Us
Center for Health Communication
University of Delaware
125 Academy Street
Pearson Hall, Room 250
Newark, DE 19716 USA
CHC Goals
Affiliated with the Department of Communication, the Center for Health Communication at the University of Delaware is a hub for faculty and students to engage in scholarly research and collaborations with the following goals:
Advancing the science of health communication
CHC approaches scholarship from interpersonal and mass media perspectives and works to investigate questions about the bidirectional influence of communication and health at multiple (i.e., micro and macro) levels. Questions center around understanding (a) how individuals can communicate in ways that improve their relational, psychological, and physical/physiological health, (b) how health-related issues impact communication in relationships, (c) how media affect health cognitions and behaviors, (d) the development of persuasive health messaging, and (e) how to best communicate about risk.
Training a diverse set of health communication scholars
CHC uses a team science approach, where teams can include a diverse set of faculty, postdocs, undergraduate students, graduate students and community members in the research process. CHC mentors undergraduate, masters and doctoral students via research teams that provide students with opportunities for publishing, presenting at national and international conferences and grant writing experience. CHC is inclusive and enthusiastic about working with students and scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Promoting the translation of research findings and engaging with communities to improve health and well-being
CHC provides expertise to assist researchers in their goal to translate and disseminate research findings through interacting with stakeholders and engaging in outreach efforts to disseminate research information to specific target audiences.
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Newark Community Unites Against Opioid Crisis During Recovery Month
September 23, 2024 | Written by Melissa BetauKey voices gathered to address Delaware's opioid epidemic and its challenges. -
Vaccine Hesitancy
January 21, 2022 | Written by Ann ManserHealth communication scholars at UD investigate attitudes, demographics
Programming
Health & Media Summer Scholars Program (HMSS)
In a joint collaboration with the University of Southern California and Rutgers University, HMSS is a summer program designed for high school students to learn research skills and create their own public health messages as part of a research project. Students from both coasts will work with faculty to learn about communication science and persuasion and while using their creative talents to promote health behaviors among their peers.
CHC Scholars
The CHC Scholars program selects two communication undergraduate students each year to inform and participate in the Center activities. Students will be awarded a stipend each semester and will engage in a variety of experiences that will be tailored to the students’ interests and the Center needs. Some experiences might include public relations activities for CHC as well as research needs such as facilitating the SONA Community Panel and assisting with Center research projects (e.g., data collection).
