Health literacy, emotionality, scientific evidence: Elements of an effective communication in public health. Issue 6 (3rd June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biasio, Luigi Roberto; Carducci, Annalaura; Fara, Gaetano Maria; Giammanco, Giuseppe; Lopalco, Pier Luigi
• Is Part Of: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. Volume 14:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1515
• Page End: 1516
• Publication Date: 2018-06-03
• Subjects: Evidence -- Health Literacy -- Emotionality -- Vaccine Hesitancy -- Mandatory Vaccination -- Communication -- Empowerment -- Italy; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1434382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-5515

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The importance of healthcare providers' communication abilities is still underestimated. Informing the population on the basis of documented evidence is essential but not enough to induce a change in the beliefs of who is doubtful or does not accept preventive interventions, such as vaccination. Lining up the offer of prevention to the knowledge of the citizens, also improving Health Literacy skills, is a critical step toward their empowerment and behavior change. The 2017 Erice Declaration was drafted to propose to the Institutions and the scientific community the main goals to improve communication and counteract Vaccine Hesitancy, at a very critical time, when mandatory vaccination was introduced in Italy.