ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the interpersonal issues of health and how persuasion plays a role not only in the patient-doctor interaction but also in other aspects of our relational life. It looks at persuasion and its role in health messages mediated through the media and through campaigns. This chapter discovers the persuasive implications of pharmaceutical advertisements and health campaigns. Amason and Webb propose effective health protective sexual communication (HPSC) as a persuasive way to introduce the topic of safer sex, engage in interpersonal influence, and thus explore ways couples can protect themselves against possible infection. Persuasive communication is the most valuable tool that medical providers have at their disposal. Regardless of the health topic, or the theory driving the persuasive message, the most successful campaigns have some common characteristics. Our states of health—and how people talk about health—are an important component of our interpersonal relationships and everyday interactions.
