Week 10: Advertising, Public Relations, & Media Advocacy

Before our introduction to public relations, the words that came to mind when I heard that term was networking and exposure. Hopefully, if I understand it correctly, my thinking wasn't completely off? Like Amanda and a couple of others my understanding of it - especially the end product (paperwork and what will be done with the paperwork by the press) is still a bit foggy.

Honestly, I didn't find this topic as interesting as the other topics but I think I should get interested and understand it soon bc ppl are really using it. I was just talking to someone from the County of San Diego HHSA and she (unsolicited, I must add) said that she uses press releases. I was surprised and when asked if they really use that she said, "Oh, yeah."

I guess what's made it hardest for me to understand press releases, and our projects too, is that I don't truly understand the end product...nevertheless, it should be interesting to see what we all come up with...ciao...

Week 13: O...squared

Like pretty much everyone else, I especially enjoyed this week's topics. I guess the things that stood out the most for me was the discussion about the source and message. I think it was Tiffany who first commented on being careful about who you decide to be the source of the message and I couldn't agree more. I remember watching something on VH1 about how how the former first lady, Nancy Reagan, employed then teen heart throbs Corey Feldman and Corey 'something' to be the face of the, "Just Say No!" anti-drug campaign. However, in the midst of this campaign these boys ended up using drugs themselves and had to do some damage control. This definitely compromised the integrity of the message and not to mention the source. I guess for the same reasons that's why Oprah had the author of a "A Million Little Pieces" back on her show. She had become a reputable source to whom her viewers had learned to trust, but when it was revealed that the book she said was non-fiction was in fact partially fabricated she did the best she could to restore her image, which I think worked. Which is a good thing for Obama, because Oprah is endorsing his presidential candidacy - so who knows how many votes she will bring him.

Week 14

Like everyone else, I enjoyed the presentations this week. It was interesting to see what hard work we all have put in to our projects over the course of the semester. I also appreciated the fact that Dr. E gave us feedback right away about the projects. However, one thing that he mentioned that I have problems accepting was his comment about having one objective for our two segments. If I understood (and remember) correctly, he didn't agree with having only one objective for the two segments as it defeated the purpose of doing segmentation in the first place. But, in our situation (the food stamp group) the one objective is relevant to both segments as it is in the pathway to reaching our goal which is utilizing food stamps to increase "access to food and a more healthy diet." There is no distinct phone number that the WIC people should call compared to the Non-WIC recipients. In essence, it is a one way street when one of the biggest factors preventing these families (both WIC and Non-WIC) from calling and making an appointment is the lack of knowledge about eligibility and the FSP in general. In conclusion, no our segmentation didn't lead us to two different objectives but it did allow us to identify the language and message that would work best with the two groups.

Well, I can't wait to get our group's mini-project 2 back!

Week 9:

Before our introduction to public relations, the words that came to mind when I heard that term was networking and exposure. Hopefully, if I understand it correctly, my thinking wasn't completely off? Like Amanda and a couple of others my understanding of it - especially the end product (paperwork and what will be done with the paperwork by the press) is still a bit foggy.

Honestly, I didn't find this topic as interesting as the other topics but I think I should get interested and understand it soon bc ppl are really using it. I was just talking to someone from the County of San Diego HHSA and she (unsolicited, I must add) said that she uses press releases. I was surprised and when asked if they really use that she said, "Oh, yeah."

I guess what's made it hardest for me to understand press releases, and our projects too, is that I don't truly understand the end product...nevertheless, it should be interesting to see what we all come up with...ciao...

Week 8: Firestorm

I am just so blessed to not have been directly affected by the fires. My very pregnant friend and her husband had to evacuate bc they lived in San Marcos. I didn't even know San Marcos was affected until I saw it on the news and by then she had already fled to Oceanside. Luckily, the fire there was 100% contained earlier on. I cannot even begin to understand how ppl cope(d) with fleeing from their houses knowing that they may/may not return to a home, but my hope and prayers go out to each and everyone of them. In regards to Amanda's question, I did not see Larry Himmel report on his own home burning, but I did see two interviews that have remained with me. The first being this guy who had a family and who like many others had to flee with his kids, wife and few possessions. They then showed him returning to house that was no more and to see him trying to hold in his tears while his voice cracked and his nose lit up - was heartbreaking. Then there was this couple, I think they were from Rancho Bernardo, they were being interviewed by Matt Laurer (sp?) from the Today show. They had just recently purchased a a fireproof safe and put their marriage license among other items in it. When they returned to their home they had found it had been destroyed. Later we find out they didn't even have homeowner's insurance...my response = YIKES! However, throughout the entire interview - they were lighthearted about their loss that DIDN'T include their marriage license as their fireproof safe was the only thing that survived. The only explanation I could give myself was that they were just so blessed they still had each other and the paperwork that represented their union, as they realized the outcome could have been much more worse...Yes, there was a lot of news coverage these few days but it allowed us to stay up to date on areas affected as well as teach us different ways that ppl are coping with their loss. el fin.

Week 7 Response: What is health literacy to you?

Yes, as we've learned and as many have already commented on with their own experiences, health literacy is definitely a problem. However, I think the medical community has already conquered one of the biggest obstacles to solving this problem, which is identifying that it is a problem. After watching the stories of those ppl who compromised their health due to low health literacy, all I could think of was that I'm blessed my reading comprehension of health related materials has never put me in that situation. And, honestly, like the video said, just being college educated doesn't necessarily mean health literacy; which is something we in public health must be careful of when tailoring campaigns to this or equivalent populations.
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Another thing that I stood out for me was the definition of health literacy, which more or less is: obtaining, understanding, interpreting health related material. So, when working with unique populations, its important to not only to "dumb down" (what's a better term, I'm not sure I saw one in other blogs nor do I remember one from class) language , but make sure it is relevant to that pop.

So have you ever done something for the "wrong reason"?

Hey all,

So one thing that we have been talking about in my health communications class is using the "wrong reason" to motivate ppl to about something, particularly a health related topic. For example, if you read the story about my nephew Isaiah below, you'd see that the way I got him to drink his milk. I promised that he would (more or less) become bigger. That is the secondary/superficial reason to get him to drink his milk. The true/primary reason would be to build healthy bones, which may or may not lead to long bones.

So, my question to you is: Have you ever convinced someone to do something for the wrong reason? Health related or not.

I would be interested to read any responses.

*ciao