Group of organizations or representatives of groups within a community joined to pursue a common objective Having more than one illness or condition that compromises quality of life at the same time In the context of public health, communication theories are meant to describe how communication processes impact health behavior change and how communication strategies can be used strategically to motivate behavior change

1. Coalition

Group of organizations or representatives of groups within a community joined to pursue a common objective

2. Co-morbidity

Having more than one illness or condition that compromises quality of life at the same time

3. Communication theories

In the context of public health, communication theories are meant to describe how communication processes impact health behavior change and how communication strategies can be used strategically to motivate behavior change. Although there are a number of communication theories and concepts, four that are particularly relevant to public health include the knowledge gap, agenda setting, cultivation studies, and risk communication . The knowledge gap refers to the fact that individuals with more formal education tend to be more knowledgeable about many issues when compared to those with less formal education; therefore, "an increasing flow of information into a social system is more likely to benefit groups of higher socioeconomic status than those of lower SES," thereby contributing to health disparities and other inequities. Knowledge gaps can be modified by content and channel factors, social conflict and mobilization, community structure, and individual motivational factors. Agenda-setting refers to the ability of the mass media to influence public opinion and priorities, particularly in relation to politics and policymaking. Cultivation studies investigate "the impact the mass media have on our perceptions of reality."

4. Community

Specific group of people, often living in a defined geographical area, who share a common culture, values and norms, are arranged in a social structure according to relationships which the community has developed over a period of time. Members of a community gain their personal and social identity by sharing common beliefs, values and norms which have been developed by the community in the past and may be modified in the future. They exhibit some awareness of their identity as a group, and share common needs and a commitment to meeting them

5. Community-based interventions

Programs designed to focus on healthful changes in either subgroups or localized populations

6. Community-based participatory research (CBPR)

Collaborative process that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action for social change to improve community health and eliminate health disparities

7. Community capacity

Combined assets that influence a community's commitment, resources, and skills used to solve problems and strengthen the quality of life for its citizens

8. Community organization

Set of procedures and processes by which a population and its institutions mobilize and coordinate resources to solve a mutual problem or to pursue mutual goals

9. Consciousness raising

Process of "learning new facts, ideas and tips that support the healthy behavior change." Efforts to increase awareness about the causes and consequences of a disease or unhealthy behavior during a media campaign would be considered consciousness raising. Consciousness raising is a process of change included in the Transtheoretical model that is most appropriate for individuals in the earliest stages of change (precontemplation and contemplation).

10. Cues to action

Strategies to activate one's readiness" to engage in a particular behavior or activity. A cue to action can be either an internal or external stimulus that motivates a person to act. Cues to action is a key construct in the Health Belief Model.