Labs, Centers, and Initiatives
These dedicated labs and interdisciplinary centers support health communication research at the U of U.
Health Communication and Technology Lab:
Within the Department of Communication, faculty like Dr. Jake Jensen lead research labs that design and test health messages using technology. These labs conduct experiments on message framing (for instance, how fear appeals or narratives influence behavior) and develop communication interventions such as interactive websites or text-messaging programs for health promotion.
Huntsman Cancer Institute – Communication Research Group:
Several health communication projects are housed within Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Cancer Control and Population Sciences program. Researchers like Drs. Kaphingst, Lumpkins, King, and colleagues work here on communicating cancer risk information and developing decision support tools for patients. This initiative links communication scholars with oncologists, surgeons, and genetic counselors to study how best to convey complex cancer information to patients and the public.
Center for HOPE:
An initiative associated with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Center for HOPE focuses on improving health outcomes in Utah and the Mountain West. Communication is central to its mission – the center designs community-based interventions (e.g. public health campaigns, health education workshops) to reach communities throughout the region with cancer prevention and tobacco cessation messaging. This reflects a broader University commitment to partnerships that improve population health through better communication.
Health Education and Promotion Programs:
In the College of Health and the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine (Division of Public Health), several programs incorporate health communication research. Faculty in public health and nursing contribute through initiatives focusing on health education, such as improving health literacy among patients with chronic illnesses and developing patient education programs. These efforts, while not branded under a single lab, form an important part of the health communication research landscape on campus, often in collaboration with Communication Department experts.