Health and Medical Public Relations

This book is about how and why information about health and medical science is communicated to target audiences through a range of PR techniques. It brings together information on the wide range of health-related public relations activities and combines a critical, analytical and cultural view of these activities with guidance on best practice.

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Health and Medical Public Relations takes a fresh look at media relations and news values. It examines how information about medical research from the academic, pharmaceutical and charitable sectors is disseminated to target audiences through a variety of PR techniques. Scrutinising a wide range of health-related public relations activities, the book combines a critical, analytical and cultural overview of these methods with helpful guidance on their practical application.

Key features include:






Advice on how to write and place effective press releases, plan and budget for campaigns, and anticipate responses from different sectors and the wider public
Coverage of different types of communication and consultancy, including the controversial areas of lobbying and access to influential policy makers
Case studies on the way in which experienced journalists and public relations practitioners gain coverage for their work, with plentiful examples drawn from both recent media scares and long-running issues
A survey of the way challenging public relations issues have been perceived in the past, analysing the attitudes of both legislators and the public
A user-friendly format designed to reinforce learning, including handy tips, definition boxes explaining key words and concepts, and exercises and reflection points to stimulate group discussion and reflection on specific examples of science and medical PR practice.

Wide-ranging and highly accessible, this book will be an essential resource for undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals learning to specialise in health public relations.