Empowering Health Communicators
Health care is a rapidly growing and ever-evolving field that relies on skilled communications professionals to craft and disseminate messages with clarity and authority on topics that influence public and personal health. From significant contributions in disease prevention, to groundbreaking campaigns in health awareness, and through efforts to improve doctor/ patient relations, Health Communicators are in demand and critical to the facilitation of public awareness and understanding of health care issues. The Boston University Online Master of Science in Health Communication program is designed to shape progressive Health Communicators, equipping them with the tools needed to effectively impact public and personal health literacy.
Faculty Spotlight
Courses: Ethical Issues in Medicine and Public Health Communication (MET CM 754)
Christie Hager, M.P.H., J.D. has returned as a faculty member of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard School of Public Health, after having served as Chief Health Counsel in the Office of the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives during the development and enactment of the Commonwealth's landmark health reform law, passed in 2006.
Chris has an extensive research and teaching background in state regulation of health care and public health, health care access, and legislation. She is the former Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health Practice at Harvard School of Public Health, and served as Chair of the American Public Health Association's Health Law Forum.
Her work has appeared in many publications, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Journal of Law and Medicine.
Health Communication Spotlight
Interview with Helen Osborne
Recognized as an expert in health literacy, Helen Osborne M.Ed., OTR/L helps health professionals communicate in ways patients and their families can understand. She does so through a range of consulting, training, and writing services.
Helen is president of her own business, Health Literacy Consulting, based in Natick, Massachusetts. She is also the founding director of Health Literacy Month – a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the importance of understandable health information. In addition, Helen produces and hosts the podcast series, Health Literacy Out Loud.
Health Communication In Action:
Boston University Master of Science in Health Communication online program seeks to highlight relevant examples of effective health communication at work. View our latest "Health Communication In Action". This story was pitched to the ABC affiliate by our current BU Health Communication student, Zipporah Dvash, who is the assistant vice president of public affairs and development at the Long Island College Hospital, directly applying the concepts learned in her coursework with her professional work.
