Health Communication, Language, and Social Action across the Life Span

The language utilized within health communication encounters has a direct influence on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In many ways, the difficulties associated with efficient, effective, and competent communication within the health care context can be the major determinant of successful health outcomes. Further, while many of the interactional contexts within health are intergenerational, communication encounters are challenged by ageism and a lack of appropriate intergenerational communication skills. While it may seem obvious that the nature of human interaction is constantly changing as individuals develop throughout their lives, few theoretical or empirical investigators within the general disciplines of Communication, Language, and Social Psychology ground their research within a life span developmental perspective.

This book addresses communication events within health care institutions from a theory-rich, methodologically varied, and social action/positive communication orientation. Chapters in this book examine interpersonal relationships, the social environment, and culture to develop beneficial communication practices for healthcare professionals, individuals, families, and communities.

Amber K. Worthington is Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Carla L. Fisher is Professor of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics in the College of Medicine at the University of Florida.

Janice L. Krieger is Professor of Quantitative Health Sciences at Mayo Clinic, Florida.

Craig Fowler is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Marketing at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand.

Margaret J. Pitts is Associate Professor of Communication and Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Arizona.

Jon F. Nussbaum is Liberal Arts Professor Emeritus of Communication Arts and Sciences & Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University. The other editors all earned their Ph.D.’s at Penn State under Jon’s supervision.