Civic engagement and health communication in the context of COVID-19 crisis: A systematic review

Yiheng Wang; Mónica Campos Carrau

doi:10.31637/epsir-2024-796

Authors

Yiheng Wang University of Cádiz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2021-7691
Mónica Campos Carrau University of Cádiz https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5419-3790

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-796

Keywords:

COVID-19, civic engagement, citizen participation, health communication, social change, crisis communication, crisis response, social media

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, the first public health crisis updated in real-time, has integrated digital communication into daily life. This necessitates reflecting on Health Communication from a sociocultural perspective and improving health literacy to effectively manage the pandemic. Methodology: Literature on health communication during COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023 was reviewed using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, following the PRISMA protocol to identify evidence and avoid bias. Results: Digital communication was essential for sustaining communicative practices and addressing the health crisis. Discussion: Citizen participation demonstrated its potential in crisis management through creativity, emotional support, and dissemination of educational messages. Communication inequities and their impacts on vulnerable populations highlight the need for continued research in health communication. Conclusions: Integrating perspectives from Communication for Development and Social Change (CDCS) and positioning health communication as a subfield of social development is essential for deepening research and promoting active citizen participation in the health sector.

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Author Biographies

Yiheng Wang, University of Cádiz

Doctoranda del Programa Interuniversitario de Doctorado en Comunicación del que forma parte la UCA e investigadora del Grupo de investigación Comunicación y Ciudadanía Digital. Máster en Dirección Estratégica e Innovación en Comunicación (Universidad de Cádiz). Es becaria de Investigador en Formación asociada a Proyectos convocada por Resolución del Rector de la Universidad de Cádiz UCA/REC13VPCT/2020. En la actualidad está realizando su tesis doctoral en el campo de la Comunicación para la Salud, en el estudio de la pandemia del coronavirus y la desinformación.

Mónica Campos Carrau, University of Cádiz

Trabajadora Social (UMA) y doctoranda en Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas (UCA). Ha realizado másteres en Sociología Aplicada (UMA) e Igualdad y Género (UMA); además de los expertos en Investigación Cualitativa (UNED) y Violencia Sexual en Contextos de Paz y Conflicto Armado (UNIA). Fue analista de programas (pasantía) en ONU Mujeres República Dominicana y asistente del Área de Derechos y Seguridad Económica de las Mujeres (pasantía) en ONU Mujeres Paraguay. Ha trabajado en ONGs españolas y como asistente de docencia (UASD), docente (UCA) e investigadora (UMA y UCA). Ha realizado estancias de investigación predoctoral en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2022), Universidad Nacional de Colombia (2023) y Universidad de Chile (2023). Forma parte del Grupo de Investigación AplicaTS – SEJ561.

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