The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University has launched a Health Communication Accelerator, supported by an $800,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This three-year initiative aims to improve health outcomes by addressing health disparities through enhanced communication strategies.
Collaborative Approach to Health Communication
The Health Communication Accelerator will leverage the expertise of students, faculty, practitioners, and community partners to research and develop messaging strategies targeting various health challenges each year. The school’s Cronkite Agency will lead the initiative, conducting audience research, pilot testing, and creating practical tools for community use, all while building a foundation of evidence-based health communication.
According to Jessica Pucci, senior associate dean of the Cronkite School, access to reliable health information is crucial for community well-being. She emphasized that the accelerator presents an opportunity to train a new generation of communicators and to create strategies that engage communities more effectively in health matters.
Addressing Health Disparities
Dean Battinto L. Batts Jr. noted the school’s unique position to provide insights and training to tackle health communication challenges. The initiative will also assist emerging healthcare professionals in navigating misinformation and cultural differences in sharing health information with communities.
Over time, the Health Communication Accelerator is expected to serve as a national model for integrating professional communication practices with interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement to combat health disparities.
Supporting ASU Health Initiatives
This initiative aligns with ASU’s Health and Changing Futures campaign, which focuses on transforming healthcare delivery and education. The accelerator will strengthen community health communication and prepare future professionals to address complex public health challenges.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has a history of supporting health communication initiatives at the Cronkite School, including a previous $1.3 million grant awarded in 2022 for efforts focused on health disparities in Hispanic and Indigenous communities through dedicated reporting teams and Spanish-language campaigns.
Source: Arizona State University
