Public Health Literacy and Community Media: Country Presentations 2 – Spain

Presentations plus Q&A with Isabel Lema, Onda Color Comunitaria, Radio Jabato and Radiopolis, held at the E3J-Conference “Public Health Literacy and Community Media in Europe” organised by COMMIT and CMFE in Vienna, January 19, 2024 at Presseclub Concordia 

Isabel Lema, national researcher from Spain, highlighted the most important findings from her national background research conducted as part of the E3J project. Her research revealed a wide breadth of existing radio shows on public health in Spain, mostly covering mental health and health education. Challenges when producing health-related messages were identified, such as learning how to address sensitive issues and promoting anti-stigma awareness actions to try to reduce unfair views of people with (mental) illness. Citizen engagement through community media can empower the audience to be more active in taking care of their health.

Onda Color Comunitaria, Malaga, wanted to show that it is important to be attentive and to act when something ‘hurts’ and therefore chose an action-oriented “how to…” approach on issues from mental over sexual health, loneliness, medication and drug abuse, taking the core issues from their immediate community in Palma Palmilla.

Radio Jabato, based in the Coslada community in the outskirts of Madrid, invited the community into the studios saying “Everyone's Health, Everyone’s Commitment“, focusing every programme on the public health challenges of different groups in the community.

Radiopolis, Sevilla, focused on mental health and youth, to engage with and disarm taboos. With a young psychologist as the central character through the programmes, the principal youth audience were called to engage, get a voice, be informed and empowered.

More infos on the conference and the E3J-project can be found here: https://www.commit.at/veranstaltungen/details/public-health-literacy-and-community-media-in-europe