Health Communication
Advancing evidence-based communication strategies to improve health outcomes and promote sustainable behaviour change.
Health Communication is a specialised unit within the Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Lab dedicated to improving health outcomes through evidence-based communication strategies. It studies how individuals and communities understand health information, make treatment decisions, and adopt preventive behaviours.
Recognising that knowledge alone does not guarantee behaviour change, Health Communication integrates behavioural science, public health research, media studies, and social science methods to design communication interventions that are culturally appropriate, accessible, and impactful.
Health Communication conducts rigorous applied research to bridge the gap between health knowledge and action — addressing communication barriers in areas such as disease prevention, maternal and child health, medicine adherence, digital health misinformation, and community health promotion.
By partnering with public health institutions, civil society organisations, and government bodies, Health Communication translates research evidence into actionable communication tools, policy recommendations, and capacity-building initiatives.
Through interdisciplinary research and strategic partnerships, Health Communication advances national and global health goals by empowering individuals, communities, and institutions with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed health decisions.
Vision & Objectives
Our commitment to evidence-based health communication
Vision
To build a culture of evidence-informed health decision-making where individuals, communities, and institutions are empowered with accessible, culturally appropriate communication to lead healthier lives.
Research
Generate rigorous evidence on how strategic communication influences health behaviours, shapes policy, and drives equitable health outcomes across diverse populations.
Translation
Transform research findings into practical communication tools, training programmes, and policy recommendations that serve public health institutions and at-risk communities.
Partnership
Collaborate with government, NGOs, and academic institutions to scale evidence-based health communication interventions and strengthen communication capacity.
Our Recent Publication
Peer-reviewed research from the Lab on healthcare financing and the economic burden of illness in Indian households.
Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Medicine for Chronic Patients and Its Economic Impact on Indian Households: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesises evidence on medicine-related out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) among patients with chronic diseases in India. Drawing on 30 studies, the pooled mean annual medicine OOPE among chronic patients was ₹9,550.58 per patient, with medicines accounting for roughly 30–50% of total out-of-pocket spending during inpatient care and 60–80% during outpatient care. The findings point to significant gaps in financial protection for long-term medicine costs and underscore the need for stronger public drug procurement and expanded insurance coverage for outpatient medicines.
Research Methods & Activities
Our evidence-generation pipeline combines rigorous systematic review methodologies with quantitative synthesis and field intervention design.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analysis
Evidence synthesis of communication interventions, health messaging research, and behaviour change outcomes across populations.
Qualitative & Participatory Research
In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and community co-design to understand health beliefs and develop contextually appropriate communication.
Intervention Design & Testing
Development and evaluation of communication campaigns, messages, and tools targeting specific health behaviours with pilot and RCT studies.
Digital Health & Media Analysis
Content analysis of health-related media, social media discourse, misinformation tracking, and digital health platform evaluation.
Lab Leadership
Akriti Bansal
Lead Investigator – Health Communication
Akriti Bansal is a doctoral researcher in New Media specialising in systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and evidence synthesis for public health policy. She translates rigorous research into accessible, impact-oriented communication strategies that support behaviour change and health equity.
Team Members
Akriti Bansal
Lead Investigator
Doctoral Researcher in New Media
Research Affiliations
Public Health Institutions
NGOs & Community Organizations
Collaborate on Health Communication Research
Interested in partnership, research collaboration, or implementing evidence-based health communication?