Learning from each other: Where Health Promotion Meets Infectious Diseases

Summary: Communicable disease control can benefit from the transfer of knowledge on health promotion. Behaviour change interventions are more effective if they incorporate recent insights on formative research and emotional drivers. By mapping current health communication activities in Europe, a range of perceived needs and a wealth of opportunities emerged. Furthermore, successful interventions in non-communicable disease have shown that political commitment is essential to develop public health policies. In order to get these policies adopted, health professionals need to develop vision, strategy and effective action. As public health budgets are limited smart collaboration initiatives are needed to drive capacity development.