Two of our Board Members were invited to the World Innovation Summit for Health, taking place in Doha, Qatar, 17-18 February 2015. Professor Suzanne Suggs and Professor Jeff French are part of the Forum on “Communicating Complex Health Messages” (CCHM). The Forum, Chaired by Suzanne (ESMA and Università della Svizzera italiana), consists of 15 internationally renowned experts in health, health behaviour, communication, social marketing and health policy, including Jeff French (ESMA and Strategic Social Marketing), Irina Dinca (ECDC), Angela Brand (Maastricht University), Jez Groom (OgilvyChange), Kristine Sorensen (Maastricht University), Jay Bernhardt (University of Texas) and Scott Ratzan (AB InBev and Journal of Health Communication).

Jeff and Suzanne have been working on this initiative for almost one year and the work resulted in a report available on the WISH website and the newly launched ADD for Health Communication website. The report illustrates the importance of communication, but stresses that communication alone is no panacea for health. The framework developed during this work aims to help social marketers and other behaviour change promoters in designing the specific messages used when communicating health and health policy. In addition to the framework, three policy enablers are proposed that ensure health communication has the essential resources, the necessary priority and the compelling messengers needed to be effective.

The CCHM Panel session at WISH, taking place on 18 February 11-12.30 (CET+2:00) and broadcast live online, includes world renowned policy makers, change makers, academics, and health advocates. Stay tuned for follow-up details after the Summit.