Offer of digital health communication expanded

Fulda University of Applied Sciences has further developed the focus on health communication in the Health Promotion degree programme. A wide range of digital communication offers will be available to students in the future. This is because teaching health literacy via digital media, i.e. the ability to find information, understand it, reflect on it critically and use it for one's own health concerns, is becoming increasingly important. "We should use the channels that play a role in people's everyday lives," says Prof. Dr. Kevin Dadaczynski, who teaches and researches health communication in and with digital media at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

Therefore, the study programme also includes the latest approaches in health communication such as serious games - the development of new games for health-promoting, preventive purposes - but also the examination of entertainment games and the question of the extent to which they can have positive health effects in addition to the often-criticised negative effects, for example, if they encourage users to be more physically active. "It becomes interesting when people are empowered to transfer what they learn in the game to their actual lives," explains Prof. Dadaczynski.

The Health Promotion degree programme thus closely links health science and communication know-how to enable students to develop effective, target group-oriented approaches to health promotion and prevention. In February of this year, the National Action Plan on Health Literacy made it clear that there is a great need for action in this regard. Among other things, it calls for health information to be made more user-friendly and for digitalisation to be used more intensively. Many people need support in finding and processing information. Especially the assessment of information encounters difficulties, it says. The use of audiovisual media could significantly improve the reception and communication of health information, digital applications could provide everyday assistance and support the self-management of patients.

Health communication is one of three specialisations offered in the Health Promotion programme. Co-operations of the specialisation with the study programme in health technology are possible, if it is appropriate in terms of content.

Interested in the Bachelor's degree programme in Health Promotion?

Information on the Bachelor's degree programme in Health Promotion