ABSTRACT
The chapter explores the intersection of health communication and security. Infectious disease outbreaks or food, water, and air contamination can compromise security. Natural disasters, armed conflict, and mass population dislocation can also threaten security for major segments of the world’s population. Perceptions of health security have evolved following concentrated, but highly visible, events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In response to these threats of disease, destruction, and terrorism, studies focusing on securitization of health communication have expanded in the academic arena. This growing body of research features communication as a critical process in the larger effort to protect the health of the public. Recent research emphasizes the importance of crisis planning, strategies for emergency risk communication, and specific health communication strategies for maintaining security. As health communication and securitization intersect, new questions have arisen. To what extent, for example, does such securitization pose a risk of militarizing or constraining health communication? To what extent has the evolution of new media created opportunities and constraints for responding to health crises? These and other emerging questions are inevitable as the research agenda focusing on security in the health realm expands. Overall, the integration of public health into the emergency response has played a role in improving effectiveness in responding to severe health threats.
