Health Campaign Message

Everyone in the country, regardless of social background, needs quality treatment. However, because of escalating drug costs, many American families are unable to obtain decent healthcare. The bulk of these families have poor incomes and live in rural locations with few health care options. Despite efforts by many organizations to enhance healthcare standards in rural areas, inequities exist among minority populations. The Health and Human Services Administration (HHSA) has volunteered to improve the quality of care for the underserved in New Orleans, Louisiana. The team is in need of medical equipment, supplies, and medicine to facilitate mobile screening for the underserved families and individuals in New Orleans. The team’s plan will be a valuable asset to the people in the area. Our current financial status is not enough to cater for the needs of these individuals. Your contribution of any amount will support our efforts in helping the underserved families in New Orleans. Your assistance can make a significant difference in these people’s lives, especially women and children, and in the American society. We appreciate your support.

2. Explain the principles and strategies used to develop the media message, and your reasoning

Various strategies and principles guide the development of health media messages. Social marketing, diffusion, and step-by-step psychological principles apply in the media message above. Social marketing emphasizes the benefits of the campaign to the consumers, creation of value, and customer difference (Silva & Mazzon, 2015). In this case, the message targets willing citizens, especially those from within and around New Orleans. The message suggests that everyone will benefit from the campaign.

Diffusion focuses on theoretical concepts that center on the spread of new ideas in the society (Perloff, 2014). The campaign seeks to introduce a unique insight into the New Orleans community. Residents have a perception that the government has the responsibility of providing quality and affordable healthcare to all citizens irrespective of their locations. This program aims at spreading a new idea that requires the willing and able individuals to help the underserved get standard health care. The systematic approach allows the HHSA team to stay on track as it seeks the support of other people.

3. Justify how your media message is ethical by referencing specific codes of ethics and other resources

Health campaign messages result in ethical concerns because they intend to influence the opinions of people. The media message above meets the moral standards of health campaigns. First, the HHSA team believes that this problem is social-structural. The disparities in access to health care by in the country are due to the systems available. The message tends to address the American society seeking the help of all willing Americans.

Second, the campaign tends to benefit the public (Perloff, 2014). Improving standards of health care for the underserved individuals will help in reducing public expenditure on health in future. Consequently, it will save the country from incurring high costs of medical care. Third, the message is in line with the cultural norms of the county and nation. The leaders and the residents are always ready to help others. As such, they will embrace any campaign message that requires them to contribute whatever they have for the sake of others within the community.

References

Perloff, R. (2014). The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century (5th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Silva, E., & Mazzon, J. (2015). Social marketing for women’s health campaigns. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 7(5), 89-97.