Center for Health Communication - UT Austin

09/04/2026

Have a happy and restful Labor Day weekend! We want to recognize and share appreciation for the public health and healthcare professionals who keep our workplaces, communities, and families safe and thriving every day — many of whom spend holidays away from loved ones in service to others.

Individuals dedicated to this ceaseless work deserve better support, and reducing burnout can benefit the populations they serve as well. Addressing it calls for meaningful, systems-level approaches that foster well-being, strengthen collaboration, and build healthier work environments.

The free "Strategies to Support Team Well-Being" course, taught by Dell Medical School - UT Austin’s Assistant Dean for Professional Fulfillment and Well-being, focuses on evidence-based communication and leadership strategies designed for high-feasibility and high-impact: https://rebrand.ly/TeamWellbeing

09/02/2026

With a new semester come new routines, friends, and opportunities to practice healthy habits. Washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face are the simplest ways to prioritize your health this semester. In addition, being mindful of your surroundings and obeying traffic signals on campus can help keep everyone safe.

Check out our article evaluating “Don’t touch your face” messages for more information on how health communication interventions can disrupt common germ-spreading behaviors: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655324006886?via%3Dihub

08/31/2026

What did you do on your summer vacation? 😎

Here at the CHC, we hosted our annual health communication sleepaway camp—otherwise known as the Health Communication Leadership Institute (HCLI). This three-day event brought health communication professionals from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and regions to the Moody College of Communication - UT Austin to learn and discuss current trends in research and messaging. Check out some of the highlights: https://uthealthcomm.org/news/hcli-2026-highlights

Didn’t get to join us this year? Don’t worry—we’re going to do it all again in 2027. Sign up for our mailing list to get updates! https://rebrand.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4758325b7e18630b120ff4ce8&id=d35953f009

08/27/2026

“I learned early on what it means to take care of one another,” Parton said of her upbringing in an announcement about the naming of the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital earlier this year 🤍

From HIV/AIDS awareness to COVID-19 vaccine development to pediatric cancer and infectious disease research, Dolly’s voice lifted important public health issues, and the power of her name drew other high-profile supporters to these causes.

Join us in remember her legacy. Here are a few of our favorite tributes:
➡️ Nature researchers’ celebration of her contributions to science: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02676-1

➡️ American Public Health Association’s tribute to her legacy, which serves as a reminder that good health is for everyone: https://www.apha.org/news-and-media/news-releases/apha-news-releases/dolly-parton-legacy-of-caring-for-others-serves-as-a-reminder-that-good-health-is-for-everyone

➡️ Medical Economics’ remembrance of two decades of giving, including her most recent efforts in her home state: https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/dolly-parton-s-health-care-legacy-two-decades-of-giving

08/24/2026

Welcome back to The University of Texas at Austin! Have a happy (and healthy) first day of class 🤘 🧡

Interested in interdisciplinary research and education? Subscribe to our email newsletter for updates and opportunities to get involved this semester: https://rebrand.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4758325b7e18630b120ff4ce8&id=d35953f009

08/13/2026

College is a time to build habits that support your long-term health. This summer, make sun safety one of them. Protecting your skin from the sun is one simple way to reduce your risk of cancer. Whether you’re walking across campus, studying outside, or going for a swim, remember that healthy habits start with small steps.

Check out our college sun safety campaign article for more information on integrating cancer prevention techniques across college campuses: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2026.2652362

Healthyhorns

08/07/2026

One of the best parts of our Health Communication Training Series courses are the downloadable resources many offer for you to keep handy as you practice the new skills you've learned. Don't miss the Physician Nutrition Communication Guide at the end of our newest free CME course!

Sign up for this self-paced training and download the guide for more examples of how to apply best practices during common patient conversations on this topic: https://rebrand.ly/HCTS_Nutrition

Dell Medical School - UT Austin | Episcopal Health Foundation

07/29/2026

📣 Central Texas: Lenfest Institute for Journalism is looking for a coordinator to illuminate the social and health issues shaping people’s daily lives in our region.

➡️ Apply here: https://www.lenfestinstitute.org/get-involved/careers/now-hiring-central-texas-media-ecosystem-coordinator/

💼 Position details:
• Location: Central Texas (Austin area preferred)
• Commitment: 5–10 hours per week on average
• Compensation: $2,500 per month (Subject to final contract terms and scope of work. Consultant will be reimbursed for travel and other associated costs related to the program.)

Moody College of Communication - UT Austin | Dell Medical School - UT Austin | UT Health Austin | The University of Texas at Austin

07/27/2026

From confusion around early COVID guidance to uncertainty around pinpointing the source of the cyclospora outbreak, there are health communication lessons we can learn – and they’re usually related to explaining complex, evolving scientific findings.

Learn best practices in our free, 1-hour Health Communication Training Series course on Dealing with Conflicting Health Information: https://rebrand.ly/ConflictingHealthInfo

Historically, food-borne outbreaks have relied heavily on epidemiological reporting rather than lab testing of specific products and determining the exact source can be very difficult. Read the recent Vox article featuring expertise from our Center Director: https://www.vox.com/good-medicine-newsletter/496547/lettuce-diarrhea-parasite-safe-to-eat-taylor-farms

07/24/2026

📣 UT Undergrads: The Longhorn Wellness Center is hiring for a paid, on-campus position supporting their health communication efforts.

➡️ Apply today: https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstudent/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/Health-Communication-Student-Assistant_R_00047425

The Health Communication Student Assistant creates engaging, evidence‑informed content and messages that promote student well‑being across campus. The role also contributes to the development, coordination, and evaluation of outreach campaigns, workshops, and educational materials.

Moody College of Communication - UT Austin

The Longhorn Wellness Center is hiring undergraduate and graduate students for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The roles will support health communication, peer support, healthy spaces and mindfulness initiatives.

Learn more and apply at bit.ly/LWCRoles.