Public health communications like the American Medical Associations labeling obesity as an epidemic, or the overall effects of public sexual education, do more than address public health concerns but reveal deep fundamental perceptions about belief and behavior. Scientific American conducted a study that looked at the psychological impacts of public health messaging.
Scientific American randomly assigned 700 study participants to read either an article describing how the AMA categorized obesity as a disease, or a control article that did not describe public health messaging. The study found that the impact of public health messaging is deeper than anticipated and affects more than perception. The study shows the importance of proper wording and diction that goes into public health campaigns. | Read more about the study on Scientific American
