This post is part of a blog series focusing on successful health marketing campaigns using multiple communications disciplines and media channels.  If you have a campaign we should highlight, let us know.

In previous blog posts I’ve highlighted many successful health marketing campaigns spanning various health topics. However, I have yet to discuss campaigns promoting the institution of public health. The reason for this is simple – there just aren’t that many campaigns on the topic.

Increasing the public health workforce is one of the goals of Healthy People 2010 – the government’s health promotion and disease prevention strategic plan. When I began my MPH at Boston University School of Public Health, I lost count of all the people who confused my program with something else. My mom was notorious for confusing public health school with medical school while others thought I was working on a degree in public relations or politics. How are we expected to promote public health when the public does not even know what public health means?

I was thrilled to find the What is Public Health? website developed by the Association of Schools of Public Health and Pfizer Public Health. The website attempts to answer the question through short flash videos highlighting the impacts of public health and careers in public health.

The campaign also includes the “This Is Public Health” sticker campaign to promote awareness of all the things public health encompasses. Public health advocates are encouraged to slap a sticker on everything from public park benches to drinking fountains to condom machines. The campaign features many new media channels including a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, and a Flickr group.

Several state public health departments have recognized the need to communicate the work of public health professionals. The Washington State Public Health Improvement Partnership provides the Department of Health in Washington State with helpful public health communication messages and plans.

As marketing and communications professionals, we can help to promote public health and in turn improve the public’s health. Have you heard of any other successful campaigns promoting the field of public health?

Read More from Walking the Path:

1. When it Comes to Promoting Health, Saying “You’re Bad” Is Often Not Good
2. Love Life and Live Up – HIV Campaigns Around the World
3. The Media is No Friend of Public Health