The Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives
is pleased to release this important supplement in concert with the
XIIIth International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa.
Since I began as editor of the Journal, we have attracted international
recognition as we advance our mission to promote the ethical research
and practice of health communication to enhance the quality of life
of individuals and communities throughout the world.
While the field of health communication continues to advance with documented
success, it has become part of the strategy in the U.S. Healthy People
2010 initiative. As such, it is defined as “The art and technique
of informing, influencing, and motivating individual, institutional,
and public audiences about important health issues. Its scope
includes disease prevention, health promotion, health care policy, business,
and the enhancement of the quality of life and health of individuals
within the community” (Healthy People 2010).
I can think of no better activity to apply our communication prowess
than the HIV/AIDS challenge. In 1993, I edited AIDS: Effective
Health Communication for the 90s, but the translation of theory into
practice and the laboratory into “real world” still remain challenges
today. In this edition of the Journal guest editors Collins
Airhihenbuwa and Bunmi Makinwa have presented an excellent comprehensive
approach exemplified by expert authors and the assistance of a rigorous
peer-review process. The model for health communication in dealing
with HIV/AIDS hopefully can be viewed as a breakthrough in the communication
strategies for the 21st Century.
In the five years since the Journal’s inception, over fifteen hundred
pages of material have been published along with an active web site
(http://www.journalofhealthcommunication.com)
and full on-line subscription access. We encourage each reader
to visit our web site and examine the uniqueness of the traditional
issue in our sections entitled Up Front, Articles, Forum, Education
& Evaluation, and Book Reviews. In the spirit of enhanced
dissemination, the Journal has been made available electronically
to those without other means of access (i.e. those residing in developing
countries).
It is my personal hope that we all can work to advance the highest
ethical standards in communicating effectively to promote health and
well-being.
All the best,
Scott C. Ratzan MD, MPA
Editor-in-Chief
Washington, DC
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Scott C. Ratzan, MD, MPA is Editor of the
Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives.
