For example, commercials are filled with ads from gyms like Bally's and 24 Hour Fitness. They advertise membership at reduced costs for a limited time only, so act now. Yesterday, I received a coupon in the mail inviting me to the gym for 1 month on them or I could bring a guest if I am already a member of the club. This past weekend, I was driving and a Macy's commercial advertised a 3-day sale. I turned the radio up a little to catch the details and their sale that weekend was on work out clothes. I never thought of Macy's as the place to get my work out gear. But, hey, they probably didn't either, but now they're obviously on to something. And, I can’t forget Subway. The infamous Jared is still making the big bucks
this year off of his endorsements. This month, Subway is advertising the black forest ham sandwich with apples and water. If you get the 6 inch sandwich, it's low in grams of fat, and only $2.99. It seems like this year, no stone is being left unturned by the advertising agencies. But, all of these ads reinforce the idea of how we are surrounded by health communication day in and day out.It seems like the cultural transmission this year includes the never ending battle to lose weight and getting or staying physically active. While the CDC's 50 years video did touch on many health topics, they didn't touch much on exercise or weight loss. But, as someone blogged earlier, obesity will be one of the challenges society will face over the next 50 years. As public health students, one of goals should be to communicate the issues to the masses on any platform available and mobilize the community towards a better tomorrow – okay maybe I’m on political debate overload. But, advertising agencies are doing a great job selling a product and entertaining us for the most part. The fitness industry appreciates it as their profits have increased ten fold thanks to the news and advertisements. (I'll provide a dollar figure on that.) Nevertheless, health communication is a way people can access messages and gain knowledge that can empower them to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing, mind, body, and lifestyle.
As Bandura theorizes, environment and personal factors affect change and I think the power of health communication empowers people with some degree of self-efficacy just through knowledge and examples alone. "Like hey, if they can do it, I know what I need to get it done now, and I can do it to" type of attitude. So, whether it was in class with the CDC video, on TV, or on the radio, it's evident that health communication is that flowing river, constantly changing, and reaching new people in new ways everyday. I mean just think about how we can apply health communication to the web…but that's a whole other blog. :) Stay tuned and I'll see you next week.
4 comments:
You can't blame large companies from running successful advertising campaigns to profit off of things such as new years resolutions. If I was a marketer, I would do the same thing. The key is to take advantage of it. If you join the gym, set a schedule and GO instead of the paying for 3 years and only going twice a year. If you go to Subway for the Black Forest Ham sandwich, don't give in and get the Meatball instead. Make a plan a stick to it. Stay self-motivated and don't let anyone prevent you from achieving your goals.
Well speaking of endorsements and capitalizing on New Years Resolution...have you seen the new face for Jenny Craig? Queen Latifah. Interestingly, she says her goal is not to lose weight, but to be healthy. I think she is sending mixed messages. I think she is a beautiful plus size woman that could shed a few pounds.I understand that she wants to send the message that big is beautiful, but losing weight is for your health. I think both messages go together like exercise and portion control. My thoughts about Queen Latifah's led me to think about people that endorse being overweight such as Comedian Monique. Any thoughts?
Yes, Rai, I agree with you. I saw that commercial, too. But, my heuristic side said, "Hey, there's Queen Latifah rackin' in that dough." I remember Kristi Alley did well with that campaign a few years ago, but I'm curious as to how the Queen will fair. Nevertheless, when we put a message out there, our message is always accompanied by a source. Whether that source is credible or not is up to our audience to determine. But, when we pick the source to deliver a message, we or advertising agencies should also evaluate the lasting impact that the message will have on the our audience and not just the immediate effect. For example, plus size models do have a presence in the market thanks to Monique and Queen Latifah, but as self-confidence may increase for women who identify with them, at what cost is it to their physical health? And, the same thing applies to women who are too thin. Today, it just seems like ads go from one extreme to another and play off of the fads. But, I can't blame them either. As Diego stated, a profit is a profit more or less. I guess that's where we have to show the world what we as public health students are made out of. Creativity, ingenuity, and heart.
America's health crisis right now is "fat people" and the associated problems with being over weight.
Large weight loss companies are just doing what America does best, making money off another person at any cost.
Surprised..don't be.
Being overweight is an addiction to food. The person who can change their circumstance is themselves. Not their family, or drugs, or whatever. They, the person, have to want and will it for themselves.
Until then, they will continue to eat and kill themselves.
Sad fact but that's the harsh reality.
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