The health communication knowledge is based on several complementary concepts: ​ ​

Health literacy

Health literacy can be defined as the capacity that an individual has to access and effectively use health-related information. ​ ​

Health education

Health education aims to influence a person’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours connected to health in a positive way. ​ ​

Social marketing

Using social marketing tools to conduct public health improvement programs can help to clarify goals and improve success. ​ ​

Risk communication

Risk communication is a sustained communication process with a diverse audience about the likely outcomes of health and behavioural attitudes. ​ ​

Crisis communication

While risk communication is ongoing, crisis communication is a reactive communication effort in the face of an unforeseen event. ​ ​

Health advocacy

Advocacy is one strategy to raise awareness and promote health and access to quality health care at the individual and community levels. ​ ​

Outbreak communication

An effective outbreak communication can help to bring an outbreak under control as quickly as possible, with as little social disruption as possible