Health Communication & Promotion Careers.

A career in health communications and promotion focuses on improving public health outcomes by effectively sharing health information and encouraging healthy behaviors. Professionals in this field work across all industries using communication strategies to create, implement, and promote communications-based strategies that motivate healthy behaviors, change social norms, and promote public health programs and policies.

Graduates are health educators for hospitals and nonprofit agencies, wellbeing-promotion specialists for managed care organizations and health insurance companies, program directors for departments of public health, evaluation specialists, associates in health communications firms, directors of college wellness centers, intervention researchers, and much more.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for health education specialists and community health workers to increase by about 13% from 2019 to 2029, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 17,000 jobs in the field.

Learn more about these and other public health career trajectories here.

Career Pathways for HCP Students

Check out our Health Communications & Promotions Career Pathways document to research careers by sector, and learn about specific roles and responsibilities.

Common Job Titles

  • Coordinator/Manager
  • Account Manager (agency side)
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Communications Specialists/Managers
  • Community Organizer
  • Social Media Managers
  • Health Communication Specialists
  • Health Education Specialists
  • Health Promotion Coordinators
  • Public Health Program Coordinators
  • Enrollment Worker
  • Health Educator
  • Health Promoter
  • Peer Leader
  • Patient Navigator
  • Community Health Specialist
  • Family Advocate
  • Family Planning Counselor
  • Family Support Worker
  • Public Health Advocate
  • Youth Outreach Worker
  • Enrollment Advisor
  • Peer Advocate
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Content Strategist
  • Health Writer
  • Science Writer
  • Content Specialist
  • Engagement Specialist
  • Behavioral Scientist
  • Clinical Content Developer

Where These Positions Can Be Found

  • Government Agencies
  • Nonprofits
  • Healthcare
  • Community Health Centers
  • Research Institutions
  • Hospitals
  • Universities
  • Corporate Wellness Programs
  • Communications Agencies
  • Insurers

Common Job Functions by Setting

Government Agencies
  • Strategy Development: Design public health messaging strategies.
  • Program Design & Evaluation: Create and assess health education programs targeting specific populations.
  • Program Management: Oversee public health initiatives (e.g., maternal health, disease prevention, environmental health).
  • Advocacy & Communications: Develop strategic communication plans to raise awareness and promote public health improvements.
Nonprofits and NGOs
  • Community Engagement: Work with leaders to share health information and encourage healthy behaviors.
  • Program Implementation: Conduct wellness initiatives like outreach events and health screenings.
  • Advocacy & Communications: Create communications to raise public health awareness and advocate for community health improvements.
Health Systems
  • Program Delivery: Develop and implement programs to support informed health decisions and promote well-being.
  • Educational Program Development: Create targeted health education for specific populations, often in collaboration with schools and providers.
  • Wellness Promotion: Lead wellness initiatives, employee programs, health screenings, and community outreach.
  • Public-Facing Communication: Improve health literacy and raise awareness on health issues.
Corporate Wellness Programs
  • Wellness Program Leadership: Manage employee wellness initiatives, including screenings, educational events, and health promotion activities.
  • Research Institutions
  • Health Communication Research: Conduct studies on health messaging and behavior change, often collaborating with academic teams.
Universities
  • Educational Program Development & Evaluation: Design and assess health programs for students and the broader community, promoting health literacy and preventive practices.
Health Communications Agencies, Insurance Firms, and Payers
  • Strategic Communication & Advocacy: Develop plans to raise awareness of public health issues, collaborating with healthcare organizations and insurers to support health objectives.

Core Competencies & Skills Needed

  • Cultural Competency
  • Program Planning & Management
  • Behavioral Change Theory & other psychological & sociological models used to understand & influence health behaviors
  • Digital & Media Literacy
  • Crisis Communication
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Creativity & Innovation

Specialized Fields & Techniques

  • Behavioral Science
  • Digital Engagement
  • Social Marketing (for health)
  • Health Equity
  • Patient-Centered Communication
  • Behavior Change Communication
  • Health Promotion
  • Personalized Health Communication

Keywords to Explore

  • Science Communication
  • Healthcare Communication
  • Health Literacy
  • Health Education
  • Patient Engagement
  • Health Information
  • Public Health Communication
  • Digital Health
  • Patient Outreach

Channels & Media

  • Social Media Health Content
  • Health Content Management
  • Email Campaigns
  • Mobile Health (mHealth)
  • IVR Communication
  • Text Messaging for Health
  • Educational Content Design
  • Video Script Writing for Healthcare

Salary Expectations

Salaries for HCP positions are based on the industry, experience level, and location. You can view the BUSPH graduate employment data here. Salary information is housed under Health Communication & Promotion https://www.bu.edu/sph/careers/graduate-employment-data/mph-functional-certificate-data\

Additional Certifications

Health education certifications, such as the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), are optional credentials that can be valuable for students interested in health communications and promotion. While not required for most roles, these certifications can enhance professional credibility and make candidates more competitive for public health education positions.

Obtaining a CHES or MCHES certification may signal expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating health education programs, and could be beneficial for career advancement. However, it is not a necessity for every role in the field.

For more information, visit CHES/MCHES Exams and CPH Exams.

Associations & Organizations

Sample Resumes & Cover Letters

Check out our resume & cover letter sections of our job application section to ensure your applications are well tailored.