Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
type: channel
description: The Spanish Journal of Health Communication is a publication edited by the Spanish Association of Health Communication (AECS) and the Madrid University Carlos III , Spain. The journal will consider manuscripts for review related to Health Communication in any of its fields, aiming to disseminate and improve health communication in today's society, positioning itself as the scientific journal of health communication in Spanish. It is published every six months in open access electronic format and its reference languages are Spanish, Portuguese, English and Italian. Articles may be submitted in any of these languages.
publisher: UC3M MediaLab y Asociación Española de Comunicación Sanitaria
language: en
publication name: Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
issn: 1989-9882
copyright: All articles published in this journal –unless otherwise stated- are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerives (CC-BY-ND 3.0 ES) Spain 3.0 License, which allows others to copy, distribute and transmit in a public way as long as they credit the author(s), journal and institution that publish these articles, and provided that they are not altered or modified. The complete license can be consulted in: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/deed/.es The copyright belongs to the manuscript’s author just on the basis of creating this work: Moral rights are undeniable and inalienable. Economic or exploitation rights can be transferred to third parties, as it occurs when articles are published and authors partially or totally transfer their exploitation rights to publishers Authors can archive their own articles in an institutional repository as long as their publications are cited in this journal.
items: From Activism to Radicalization
items: Challenges and opportunities of Intercultural Mediation in Health
items: Technology in older hands
items: Barriers faced by Healthcare Professionals when communicating bad news to patients and their families with advanced and incurable cancer
items: The instrumentalization of science in the discussion about vaccines on Twitter in Brazil
items: University audiovisual narratives in health communication
items: The media representation of female healthcare professionals in Spain and China
items: Promotion of psychotherapeutic services on Instagram and their Ethical in Chile
items: Health-Related Disinformation, Fact-Checkers, and Hoaxes
items: Digital monitoring of vaccine disinformation
items: The Scientific Culture Unit of the General Council of Nursing of Spain
items: Synthetic infodemic and health misinformation
items: Risk Communication in Global Emerging Health Crises
items: (2GETHER) UNI2
items: Design and validation of an Animated Character for Healthy Food Promotion in Mexican Schoolchildren
items: Hospital external communication management during covid-19 in Spain
items: Topic Analysis During Public Health Crises
items: Who embodies the obesity “epidemic”?
items: Information quality or disinformation
items: Health misinformation and recommendation algorithms
items: Journalistic Coverage of Blood Collection and Transfusion Services in European Countries
items: Fifteen years of growth, progress, and international reach
items: Communicative Competencies in Nursing Education
items: O Exploring Health Literacy Perspectives Among Portuguese Community Pharmacists
items: Science-related conversations during family visits to a health exhibition at the Fiocruz Museum of Life (Rio de Janeiro/RJ)
items: School Violence and Mental Health in Chilean Digital Media Post-COVID-19
items: Influencers, brands and sexual health promotion
items: Design and pilot testing of an educational strategy based on behavioral and communication models within Mutual Aid Groups to improve the lifestyle of people living with type 2 diabetes in Mexico
items: Instagram and its influence on the mental health of young people in Extremadura
items: Podcasting

From Activism to Radicalization
type: item
description: Introduction: This article analyzes the evolution of the vaccination discourse in Brazil on the X platform, comparing the civic mobilization of 2021 with the radicalization and collapse of dialogue observed in 2025. Objectives: To analyse “Platform Effect” as the central variable explaining the discursive shift over time. Methodology: A comparative-longitudinal approach was used, employing semantic network analysis and co-occurrence graphs to map narratives and ecosystems across both periods. Results: Findings indicate that in 2021, platform architecture reduced organizing costs (Shirky), facilitating pro-vaccine activism. In contrast, 2025 shows the consolidation of radical niches where disinformation is quantifiably relevant, attributed to the reversal of affordances. The algorithmic prioritization of conflict and emotional intensity elevated contestation costs for scientific voices (Gillespie), creating a discursive vacuum. The anti-vaccine discourse became a “cultural war” against the PNI. Conclusion: The fight against disinformation is inseparable from the debate on the regulation and design of digital architecture, given the severe threat to public health and democratic integrity.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Disinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: Vaccination
  topic: keywords
subject: Social Media
  topic: keywords
subject: Immunization Programs
  topic: keywords
subject: Public Health
  topic: keywords
creator: Luana Chinazzo
creator: Anna Julia Teixeira de Oliveira
creator: Lucas Bragança
creator: Julia Firme
creator: Fabio Goveia
creator: Francis Sodré
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Luana Chinazzo, Anna Julia Teixeira de Oliveira, Lucas Bragança, Julia Firme, Fabio Goveia, Francis Sodré https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 38
ending page: 58
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9951

Challenges and opportunities of Intercultural Mediation in Health
type: item
description: Introduction: Intercultural mediation in the healthcare sector is a key tool for improving equity and quality of care in multicultural contexts. Objective: To analyze the main challenges and strengths of this profession, taking into account the various challenges it currently faces, such as prejudice, language and cultural barriers, lack of resources, ethical dilemmas, and insufficient training and professional recognition. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, based on a set of previously defined keywords. Results: The results show that this practice promotes more inclusive and patient-centered care, improves communication and trust between healthcare professionals and patients, and reduces health inequalities. Additionally, it strengthens social cohesion by adapting healthcare services to the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Conclusions: Intercultural mediation emerges as an essential strategy for addressing the current challenges facing healthcare systems in multicultural societies.
subject: Systematic Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Health comunication
  topic: keywords
subject: migration
  topic: keywords
subject: mediation
  topic: keywords
subject: interculturality
  topic: keywords
subject: health
  topic: keywords
subject: healthcare
  topic: keywords
creator: Rocio Ruiz Hernández
creator: Montserrat Hernández Fernández
creator: Ángeles Arjona Garrido
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Rocío Ruiz Hernández, Montserrat Hernández Fernández, Ángeles Arjona Garrido https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 189
ending page: 201
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9960

Technology in older hands
type: item
description: Introduction: The rapid digital transformation of contemporary societies poses new challenges for older adults, who generally present lower levels of digital literacy compared to other age groups. Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured digital literacy intervention on attitudes toward and use of smartphones among older adults in Chile. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design was applied to 71 participants (≥60 years) who completed a four-session program focused on smartphone use for communication, information searching, and online procedures. Results: Quantitative analysis showed significant improvements across all evaluated dimensions: perceived usefulness, comfort, control, and frequency of use (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). Effect sizes ranged from small to moderate, with comfort of use showing the greatest change. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, and living arrangements influenced post-intervention results, highlighting the need for differentiated approaches. Conclusion: Beyond technical skills, the intervention fostered positive attitudinal changes, promoting autonomy. These findings suggest that small, personalized, and participatory programs can effectively reduce the grey digital divide, contributing to the technological inclusion of older adults.
subject: Brief Originals
  topic: section
subject: digital literacy
  topic: keywords
subject: aged
  topic: keywords
subject: smartphone
  topic: keywords
subject: digital divide
  topic: keywords
subject: educational intervention
  topic: keywords
creator: María del Pilar Ureta Fernández
creator: Amaru Agüero Jiménez
creator: María Fernanda Cerda Díez
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 María del Pilar Ureta Fernández, Amaru Agüero, María Fernanda Cerda Díez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 176
ending page: 188
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9734

Barriers faced by Healthcare Professionals when communicating bad news to patients and their families with advanced and incurable cancer
type: item
description: Introduction: Breaking bad news in advanced oncology represents a significant clinical challenge. Objective: To identify the barriers perceived by medical specialists when communicating bad news in the context of advanced and incurable oncological diseases. Methods: This was a qualitative study with a descriptive-interpretative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with specialists in oncology and palliative care in Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis. Results: Four central themes were identified: (1) Cognitive barriers, related to insufficient training in communication skills and psychological first aid, as well as the absence of structured protocols; (2) Emotional barriers, characterized by tensions between autonomy and non-maleficence, and the need for empathy in emotional management; (3) Sociocultural barriers, associated with patients’ beliefs and educational levels, which influence disease understanding; and (4) Methodological/procedural barriers, linked to time and space constraints and family dynamics. Conclusions: Breaking bad news is a complex and contextual process that transcends the mere transmission of information. These findings highlight the need for educational strategies, early psychological support, and organizational adjustments that foster ethical, patient-centered clinical communication.
subject: Brief Originals
  topic: section
subject: health communication
  topic: keywords
subject: palliative care
  topic: keywords
subject: cancer
  topic: keywords
creator: Tatiana Isabel Aya-Porto
creator: Nathalia Andrea Muñoz-Montenegro
creator: Stephanie Oliveros- Sabalza
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Tatiana Isabel Aya Porto, Nathalia Andrea Muñoz Montenegro, Stephanie Oliveros Sabalza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 164
ending page: 175
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9683

The instrumentalization of science in the discussion about vaccines on Twitter in Brazil
type: item
description: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a context marked by uncertainties and widespread health-related misinformation. Objectives: In this context, we analyze the use of science in discussions about vaccines on X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil during the period of the pandemic’s highest crisis. Methodology: To achieve this, we searched for descriptors related to vaccination and scientific research on this platform. From this, we found 1,354 tweets that addressed the issue of vaccines and cited articles and/or preprints in this discussion, published between January 2020 and December 2021. The research findings were systematized into three main categories that map the possible uses, instrumentalization, and distortion of science in the discussion about vaccines on this platform. Results: From the analysis, we observed that the vast majority of scientific publications brought to the debate were favorable or neutral regarding the vaccine. Nevertheless, some of them were instrumentalized and/or subtly distorted to criticize vaccines and to exalt medications considered a panacea or alternative to immunization. Conclusion: These data indicate that misinformation about vaccines in contemporary times operates at a more complex level than assumed, and may be associated with disputes over the meaning of science.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Twitter
  topic: keywords
subject: vaccines
  topic: keywords
subject: instrumentalization of science
  topic: keywords
subject: COVID-19
  topic: keywords
subject: health disinformation
  topic: keywords
creator: Lídia Raquel Herculano Maia
creator: Luisa Massarani
creator: Thaiane Oliveira
creator: Marcelo Alves dos Santos Júnior
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Lídia Raquel Herculano Maia, Luisa Massarani, Thaiane Oliveira, Marcelo Alves dos Santos Júnior https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 145
ending page: 163
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9702

University audiovisual narratives in health communication
type: item
description: Introduction: Mental health and suicidal behaviour in young people represent a growing challenge that requires effective and sensitive prevention strategies. Audiovisual resources offer significant capability for enhancing awareness and facilitating education in this domain. Objectives: The present study will analyse the university short film Overwhelmed as a health communication tool aimed at preventing suicidal behaviour in young people, evaluating its ability to raise awareness, destigmatise and promote socio-communicative action. Methodology: The present study adopts a research design, the case study, which uses fundamentally qualitative methods, oriented to systematically document and analyse the communicative and formative process of the short film Overwhelmed, with the purpose of evaluating its potential as a tool for raising awareness in mental health and as a replicable model of university-community collaboration. Results: A transdisciplinary collaboration, a sensitive narrative, and a screening of the short film in a high-visibility cultural context reinforced its legitimacy as an educational resource, hereby facilitating the understanding of the messages, identification with the protagonists, and reflection on mental health. Conclusion: University short films have been identified as an effective health communication strategy, combining emotional impact, ethical rigour, and educational relevance, especially when designed through collaborative processes with a focus on prevention.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: mental health
  topic: keywords
subject: prevention of suicidal behaviour
  topic: keywords
subject: health communication
  topic: keywords
subject: young people
  topic: keywords
subject: awareness
  topic: keywords
creator: Penélope Martín Martín
creator: Fernando Sánchez Gómez
creator: Gema Lobillo Mora
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Penélope Martín Martín, Fernando Sánchez Gómez, Gema Lobillo Mora https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 122
ending page: 144
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9711

The media representation of female healthcare professionals in Spain and China
type: item
description: Introduction: Female healthcare workers form the backbone of the health system and play a vital role in the population’s well-being. However, their media visibility remains limited. The way the media report on them influences the social and professional recognition they receive. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the media portrayal of female healthcare workers in major Spanish and Chinese newspapers. Methodology: A quantitative content analysis was conducted of 1,232 news articles published over a seven-year period in El País and ABC (Spain), and in People’s Daily and South China Morning Post (China). Results: Female healthcare workers are associated more frequently than men with maternal, physical, and emotional attributes. By contrast, the Chinese press places emphasis on their physical attributes, whereas the Spanish press more frequently highlights their professional knowledge. Conclusion: Gender stereotypes are deeply embedded in the way Spanish and Chinese newspapers portray female healthcare personnel, and these stereotypes continue to shape both their visibility and the recognition of their professional competencies.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: media coverage
  topic: keywords
subject: press
  topic: keywords
subject: newspapers
  topic: keywords
subject: female
  topic: keywords
subject: workers
  topic: keywords
subject: stereotypes
  topic: keywords
subject: Spain
  topic: keywords
subject: China
  topic: keywords
creator: Xingyue Zhang
creator: María-Ángeles Chaparro-Domínguez
creator: Francisco Segado-Boj
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Xingyue Zhang, María-Ángeles Chaparro-Domínguez, Francisco Segado-Boja https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 102
ending page: 121
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.10114

Promotion of psychotherapeutic services on Instagram and their Ethical in Chile
type: item
description: Introduction: Mental health has become a central issue in Chile, within a context of high demand and unequal access to care. In this scenario, Instagram has gained a relevant role in promoting psychotherapeutic services, generating new forms of communication between professionals and potential users. Objectives: This qualitative study analyzes the meanings that psychotherapists attribute to this type of advertising and the associated ethical challenges. Method: An online focus group was conducted with eight recently graduated professionals, complemented by photo-elicitation using psychotherapy advertisements from Instagram. An inductive content analysis was applied. Results: Three main dimensions were identified: psychotherapy as a consumer good, marked by tensions between price and quality; the mediatization of practice, associated with the emergence of the “therapist influencer”; and proposals to address ethical challenges. Conclusion: These practices reflect tensions between market logics and ethics, implying communicative risks, but also opening opportunities to strengthen transparent training in mental health delivered through social media.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: mental health
  topic: keywords
subject: psychotherapy
  topic: keywords
subject: social media
  topic: keywords
subject: influencers
  topic: keywords
subject: health consumption
  topic: keywords
subject: Chile
  topic: keywords
subject: misinformation
  topic: keywords
creator: Hans Klener Hernández
creator: Cristóbal Miranda Olivares
creator: Thiare Barrera Miranda
creator: Adriana Espinoza Soto
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Hans Max Klener Hernández, Cristóbal Miranda-Olivares, Thiare Barrera Miranda, Adriana Espinoza Soto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 83
ending page: 101
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9697

Health-Related Disinformation, Fact-Checkers, and Hoaxes
type: item
description: Introduction: Misinformation, although inherent in the history of human communication, has taken on particular significance with the expansion of digital technologies and social media, affecting the health sector. Objective: To identify and categorise the most common vaccine-related hoaxes to understand their potential social and informational effects. Methodology: A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted by analysing fact-checks of false content about vaccines carried out by the Spanish fact-checking organisations Maldita.es and Newtral. Results: The main hoaxes focus on alleged adverse effects and the false composition of vaccines. Furthermore, they frequently rely on testimonials from figures perceived as authorities to bolster the credibility of the false information and foster attitudes of rejection towards vaccination. Conclusion: Misinformation about vaccines poses a threat to public health by influencing social perceptions and individual decision-making. It is therefore essential to strengthen media literacy and promote communication strategies grounded in scientific evidence to mitigate its impact.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Communication
  topic: keywords
subject: Misinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: Fact-checking
  topic: keywords
subject: Health
  topic: keywords
subject: Vaccines
  topic: keywords
subject: Verification
  topic: keywords
creator: Nuria Sánchez-Gey Valenzuela
creator: Sónia Gomes-Gonçalves
creator: Gloria Jiménez-Marín
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Nuria Sánchez-Gey Valenzuela, Sónia Gomes-Gonçalves, Gloria Jiménez-Marín https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 59
ending page: 82
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9834

Digital monitoring of vaccine disinformation
type: item
description: Introduction: This article analyses the digital spread of vaccine-related disinformation, particularly following the covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on public health in the United States and the United Kingdom. Objectives: To compare the volume and nature of search queries related to disinformation narratives about vaccines in both countries, classifying terms and proposing communication-based recommendations. Methodology: Google Ads Keyword Planner was used to collect and analyse English-language search data (April 2024-March 2025), normalized per million inhabitants and grouped into six thematic categories. Results: A total of 848 keywords were identified. The United Kingdom showed a higher number of searches per capita. The dominant narratives were “dangerous vaccines” and “vaccines and autism”, with cultural differences observed in other topics. Conclusions: Digital monitoring reveals distinct patterns of public interest in each country and underscores the need for context-sensitive communication strategies to effectively combat vaccine disinformation.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Misinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: Vaccines
  topic: keywords
subject: Digital behaviour
  topic: keywords
subject: Google Ads Keyword Planner
  topic: keywords
subject: International comparison
  topic: keywords
creator: Ángel Quintana-Gómez
creator: Almudena Barrientos-Báez
creator: David Caldevilla-Domínguez
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Ángel Quintana-Gómez, Almudena Barrientos-Báez, David Caldevilla-Domínguez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 8
ending page: 21
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9678

The Scientific Culture Unit of the General Council of Nursing of Spain
type: item
description: Introduction: Health-related misinformation requires evidence-based institutional strategies that promote media and scientific literacy. In Spain, the Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+I) act as bridges between science and society. In this context, the General Council of Nursing (CGE), through its Spanish Institute of Nursing Research (IE), established its UCC+I to strengthen scientific culture and improve health communication. Objectives: To evaluate the reach of the UCC+I’s outreach activities during its first seven months. Methodology: Descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study. Twenty-three reports of results and 36 outreach pieces were analysed. Indicators: website visits, downloads, views and interactions on YouTube and Instagram, press releases and media coverage. Results: 23 communications were issued; 47.8% originated from the Spanish Institute for Nursing Research. Six publications included video (average 368 views) and eight technical documents exceeded 54,000 downloads. In terms of outreach, 36 pieces were recorded, with Take Care with Your Nurse standing out (41.7%). Conclusion: The combination of highly engaging content, audiovisual formats and press releases enhances the scientific and social visibility of the UCC+I at the CGE. It is recommended that its sustainability and monitoring be strengthened through periodic evaluations and impact indicators.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: misinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: health literacy
  topic: keywords
subject: information dissemination
  topic: keywords
subject: nursing
  topic: keywords
subject: social media
  topic: keywords
subject: science communication
  topic: keywords
creator: Héctor Nafría Soria
creator: Mª Guadalupe Fontan Vinagre
creator: Pedro José Satústegui-Dordá
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Héctor Nafría Soria, M.ª Guadalupe Fontán Vinagre, Pedro José Satústegui-Dordá https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 22
ending page: 37
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9829

Synthetic infodemic and health misinformation
type: item
subject: Publishing House
  topic: section
creator: Daniel Catalán Matamoros
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Catalán-Matamoros https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-07-29
publication date: 2026-07-29
starting page: 5
ending page: 7
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.10575

Risk Communication in Global Emerging Health Crises
type: item
subject: Publishing House
  topic: section
creator: Daniel Catalán-Matamoros
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Catalán-Matamoros https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 5
ending page: 9
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.10498

(2GETHER) UNI2
type: item
description: Introduction: Virtual technologies offer an alternative for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and sexual health prevention, although their reach among excluded groups such as the LGTBIQ+ community remains limited. The post-pandemic period revealed that digital communication is a viable alternative for health promotion. Objective: This study designed and implemented a multimedia digital campaign to prevent STIs in this population in the southern-macrozone of Chile, using a participatory methodology that incorporates interdisciplinarity and social media. Methodology: A participatory methodology was used involving activists and experts. A shared script was created between activists and researchers, supported by professionals from various disciplines.Results: Two audiovisual capsules were created with a non-heteronormative approach, inclusive language, and a gender perspective, combining animation and real people. Dissemination occurred through social media (Instagram), digital platforms, posters, and infographics distributed via partnerships with ONGs in key spaces (educational centers, public offices, among others), including QR codes. Conclusion: It is concluded that these campaigns are effective when they include inclusive content and social actors who contribute a territorial perspective and strategic alliances.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: nursing
  topic: keywords
subject: communication
  topic: keywords
subject: professional competence
  topic: keywords
subject: education
  topic: keywords
subject: health communication
  topic: keywords
creator: Cynthia Vergara-Maldonado
creator: Patricia Águila
creator: Laurita Morales
creator: Catalina San Martín
creator: JR. Urdaneta Machado
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Cynthia Vergara-Maldonado, Laurita Morales, Patricia Águila, JR. Urdaneta Machado https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 91
ending page: 100
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9637

Design and validation of an Animated Character for Healthy Food Promotion in Mexican Schoolchildren
type: item
description: Introduction: The food environment in Mexico promotes the consumption of unhealthy foods, with advertising characters being a common resource used by the food industry to encourage the consumption of ultra-processed among children. However, their effectiveness suggests potential for repurposing them into educational tools to promote healthy eating habits. The objective of this study was to design and validate an animated character to promote healthy foods among schoolaged children. Methodology: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study with 70 children aged 6–12 years, carried out in two phases: 1) design and 2) validation of the animated character. Population validation was measured using a Likert scale (appearance) and a Stapel scale (attitudes and emotions), with a criterion of ≥4 considered acceptable. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent from the children. Results: Acceptance of the character was positive (4.0, SD: 0.86; “I like it”). The highest-rated attributes were “Intelligent” (μ: 4.18, SD: 1.26), “Friendly” (μ: 4.14, SD: 1.37), “Fun” (μ: 4.09, SD: 1.18), and “Trustworthy” (μ: 4.06, SD: 1.21), with no differences across school grades. Conclusions: The animated character met the validation criteria, demonstrating favorable acceptance in appearance and positive attributes, confirming its potential use as an educational tool to promote healthy eating habits.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: food and nutricion education
  topic: keywords
subject: cartoons
  topic: keywords
subject: children
  topic: keywords
subject: health education
  topic: keywords
subject: food and nutritional health promotion
  topic: keywords
creator: Anaid Guadalupe Martín Díaz
creator: Virginia Gabriela Aguilera-Cervantes
creator: Fatima Ezzahra Housni
creator: Patricia Núñez Gómez
creator: Yolanda Campos Uscanga
creator: Nora Edith Rangel Bernal
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Anaid Guadalupe Martín-Díaz, Virginia Gabriela Aguilera-Cervantes, Fatima Ezzahra Housni, Patricia Núñez-Gómez, Yolanda Campos-Uscanga, Nora Edith Rangel-Bernal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 77
ending page: 90
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9792

Hospital external communication management during covid-19 in Spain
type: item
description: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has positioned healthcare centers as key benchmarks not only for medical care but also for communication. Objectives: To gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and perceptions of CCOs (Chief Communication Officers) regarding the hospital response in both care and communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations related to resources, information management, and communicative practices toward the public. Methodology: A qualitative method was employed, based on eight descriptive and conclusive in-depth interviews (11/2022–12/2024) conducted in public hospitals across five Autonomous Communities. Results: Key findings highlight the learning process and the strengthening of coordination under the umbrella of Regional Health Departments. A notable alignment was found between institutional information and media coverage. Conclusions: Communication management is recognized for conveying information to the population in a professional, ethical, and pedagogical manner, collaborating with reputable media outlets and authorities to control panic and misinformation (fake news).
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: covid-19
  topic: keywords
subject: Chief Communication Officers
  topic: keywords
subject: communication management
  topic: keywords
subject: health information
  topic: keywords
subject: external communications
  topic: keywords
subject: public health
  topic: keywords
creator: Carmen Peñafiel Saiz
creator: Milagros Ronco López
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Carmen Peñafiel Saiz, Milagros Ronco López https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 60
ending page: 76
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9958

Topic Analysis During Public Health Crises
type: item
description: Introduction: This study examines the evolution of thematic frameworks in Mexican media coverage of COVID-19 vac cines between 2020 and 2021, given that media narratives shape public perception and institutional trust during health crises. Objectives: The research aims to identify and analyze the dominant themes in COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Mexico and track their temporal evolution. Methodology: A corpus of 43.358 articles from major national newspapers in Mexico was analyzed. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), a topic modeling technique from Natural Language Processing, news content was categorized quarterly to map thematic developments over time. Results: Five key topics were identified: global health and economic crisis, international relations, pandemic management at the state level, institutional responses to social groups, and national public health policy. Findings show a clear progression from global crisis frames to more localized policy discussions. Conclusion: The study highlights how media coverage evolves in response to social and epidemiological changes, providing insights for designing timely, culturally appropriate health communication strate gies.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Pandemics
  topic: keywords
subject: COVID-19
  topic: keywords
subject: News
  topic: keywords
subject: Natural Language Processing
  topic: keywords
creator: Erick Cruz-Mendoza
creator: Oscar Fontanelli Espinosa
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Erick Cruz-Mendoza, Oscar Fontanelli Espinosa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 42
ending page: 59
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9693

Who embodies the obesity “epidemic”?
type: item
description: Introduction: This study analyses media coverage of obesity in the Spanish press from a visual perspective, examining not only how obesity is framed as an epidemic but also how bodies associated with this issue are represented in two periods (2000–2005 and 2015–2020). Methodology: A content analysis was conducted on a sample of 149 news items published in the Spanish press across both periods. The study coded the characteristics of individuals depicted in images, considering gender, age, body type and associated activities. Results: Findings indicate that while the first period shows a balanced representation of men and women, the second period features a higher presence of men, particularly adult men. Although some progress in visual diversity is observed, imagery remains largely stigmatising, especially due to the persistence of the “headless fatty” trope. A paradoxical pattern also emerges: activities linked to negative stereotypes about fatness are more frequently portrayed through normal-weight bodies than fat bodies. Conclusions: Visual coverage functions not merely as illustration but as a normative device reproducing stereotypes and reinforcing stigmatising discourses about body, health and individual responsibility.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Obesity
  topic: keywords
subject: media
  topic: keywords
subject: images
  topic: keywords
subject: representation
  topic: keywords
subject: stigma
  topic: keywords
creator: Lara Martin-Vicario
creator: Javier Bustos
creator: Marta Gil-Ibanez
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Lara Martín Vicario, Javier Bustos Díaz, Marta Gil Ibáñez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 26
ending page: 41
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.10177

Information quality or disinformation
type: item
description: Introduction: Contributing to research on the quality of news content in the face of a health emergency from a psychosocial perspective is what drives this study to focus on determining the accuracy of COVID-19 information shared via WhatsApp. Objective: To determine whether the quality of information differs between true and false messages about COVID-19 shared via WhatsApp to university students. Methodology: A systematic review of information quality studies was conducted. Subsequently, the Electronic Media Information Quality Scale (EMIQS) was pilot tested. Finally, EMIQS was administered, using a non-experimental, cross-sectional design with a correlational level. Results: There are significant differences between the dimensions of information quality such as source, relevance, credibility, intelligibility and originality; however, differences between the groups of subjects observed are minimal, which indicates that the true message and the false message are evaluated as similar. Conclusion: A message can be constructed with textual and visual elements that can give the impression of being credible, regardless of the falseness or truth of the content, which affects the decision of individuals on how the message should be valued.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: information quality
  topic: keywords
subject: disinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: WhatsApp
  topic: keywords
subject: COVID-19
  topic: keywords
subject: journalism
  topic: keywords
subject: internet
  topic: keywords
creator: Ennio Héctor Carro Pérez
creator: Alejandro Josafat Pólito De Los Reyes
creator: Arturo Secundino Hernández Gómez
creator: Oscar Eliezer Mendoza De Los Santos
creator: Juan Gilberto Silva Treviño
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Ennio Héctor Carro Pérez, Alejandro Josafat Pólito de los Reyes, Arturo Secundino Hernández Gómez, Oscar Eliezer Mendoza de los Santos, Juan Gilberto Silva Treviño https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 10
ending page: 25
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.9831

Health misinformation and recommendation algorithms
type: item
description: The development of digital platforms and social media has profoundly transformed the way in which the public accesses health-related information. In this context, algorithmic recommendation systems play a decisive role in the selection, prioritisation and dissemination of health content. This article analyses how these systems may facilitate the spread of health misinformation and affect media pluralism in Spain during the period 2020–2025. Based on a conceptual and regulatory review, it examines the tensions between algorithmic transparency, freedom of expression and the protection of public health. It also analyses how these dynamics fit within the Spanish and European legal frameworks, paying particular attention to new digital regulations. Finally, it proposes criteria for transparency, auditing and institutional cooperation aimed at reducing the risks associated with health misinformation in digital environments.
subject: Perspectives
  topic: section
subject: recommendation algorithms
  topic: keywords
subject: algorithmic transparency
  topic: keywords
subject: health misinformation
  topic: keywords
subject: media pluralism
  topic: keywords
subject: public health
  topic: keywords
creator: Miguel Cembellín Fernández
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Miguel Cembellín Fernández https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/es/deed.es
date: 2026-06-04
publication date: 2026-06-04
starting page: 101
ending page: 109
doi: 10.20318/recs.2026.10330

Journalistic Coverage of Blood Collection and Transfusion Services in European Countries
type: item
description: Objective: This article identified and characterized the news about blood and hemotherapy services, according to the components of the health services system, published in the main widely circulated newspapers in Malta and France. Methodology: The study was based on the 2022 publications of the Times of Malta and Le Monde, and the corpus of analysis consisted of 69 news items. Results: The results pointed to: the population - blood donors and the public in need of transfusions; the need for infrastructure - technologies and knowledge - to organize and operate the services. The distribution and layout of services was informative. With regard to management and regulation, there was a predominance of updates on blood donation criteria, regardless of the applicant’s sexual orientation. Safety and hemovigilance were cross-cutting aspects, in addition to rare content on financing. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the media are important for expanding knowledge, positioning and contributing to changing attitudes on various subjects, constituting a possibility for the elaboration of a corpus for the development of studies, analysis and theoretical reflection on health topics, highlighted here on the organization and operation of blood collection and transfusion services.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Blood donation
  topic: keywords
subject: blood
  topic: keywords
subject: Blood transfusion
  topic: keywords
subject: Hemotherapy Service
  topic: keywords
subject: Health systems
  topic: keywords
creator: Mariluce Karla Bomfim de Souza
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 37
ending page: 50
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.8885

Fifteen years of growth, progress, and international reach
type: item
subject: Publishing House
  topic: section
creator: Daniel Catalán-Matamoros
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 5
ending page: 6
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.10053

Communicative Competencies in Nursing Education
type: item
description: Introduction: Communication competencies are essential for ensuring quality healthcare and fostering effective collaborative practice. Objective: To analyze the inclusion of communication competencies in the Nursing Degree curricula of public and private universities in Spain. Methodology: A documentary review was conducted to identify mandatory communication-related courses and to examine the competencies included. Data were obtained from institutional websites and the Registry of Universities, Centers, and Degrees (RUCT) of the Spanish Ministry of Universities. Results: A total of 38 mandatory courses were identified across 61 universities, showing variability in titles and characteristics. Most courses (n=29) accounted for 6 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Discrepancies were observed between the integration and classification of competencies in university programs and the RUCT. Conclusion: The study highlights a lack of uniformity in the classification of communication competencies between university curricula and the RUCT. Differences between official records and academic programs underscore the need to improve coherence and standardization in the provision of communication competencies, which are critical for the quality of nursing education and patient care.
subject: Brief Originals
  topic: section
subject: Nursing
  topic: keywords
subject: Communication
  topic: keywords
subject: Professional Competence
  topic: keywords
subject: Health Communication
  topic: keywords
subject: education
  topic: keywords
subject: nursing
  topic: keywords
creator: Maialen Gorricho Genua
creator: Elena Chamorro Rebollo
creator: Itxaso Calbano Osinaga
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 95
ending page: 102
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9481

O Exploring Health Literacy Perspectives Among Portuguese Community Pharmacists
type: item
description: Introduction: HL is a broad concept that encompasses the knowledge, motivation and skills to access, understand, evaluate and apply health information and is a critical element for patient autonomy and improved outcomes in healthcare systems. Objectives: This study aims to explore Portuguese community pharmacists' perspectives on health literacy (HL) and their role in improving it in patients. HL is becoming an even more relevant issue nowadays, as health systems are under increasing pressure due to longevity, lifestyles and environmental changes leading to new diseases. Methodology: A survey of 394 pharmacists across Portugal found that 96.95% recognise the importance of assessing patients' HL. Results: The majority of pharmacists use a variety of techniques, such as screening questions and the teach-back method, to measure HL levels and adapt their communication. This is a key element in influencing patients' health behaviour and improving their knowledge of their own health. Pharmacists also actively promote positive health behaviours and medication adherence, especially for non-communicable diseases. The findings underline the key role of pharmacists in improving HL, thereby contributing to better health outcomes and the sustainability of health systems.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: health literacy
  topic: keywords
subject: community pharmacies
  topic: keywords
subject: pharmacists
  topic: keywords
subject: communication
  topic: keywords
subject: health communication
  topic: keywords
creator: Mónica Correia
creator: Rita Espanha
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 83
ending page: 94
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9290

Science-related conversations during family visits to a health exhibition at the Fiocruz Museum of Life (Rio de Janeiro/RJ)
type: item
description: Introduction: In this article, we investigate science-related conversations that took place during family visits to the exhibition “Aedes: What Mosquito Is This?” at the Museu da Vida Fiocruz (Rio de Janeiro/RJ/Brazil). Objectives: To analyze group dynamics within these conversations; identify strategies used by adult family members to promote children’s learning; reflect on the potential and challenges for children’s engagement and health learning during the visits. Methodology: Interactions during the visits were recorded using a GoPro camera attached to the chest of one child from each group. Science-related conversations considered complex were qualitatively analyzed. Family dynamics were identified through analysis categories that emerged from the data. Results: Adult visitors played an active and leading role, seeking to promote children’s learning through various strategies, with explanations given by adults to children being predominant. Identifications and associations with everyday life and prior experiences were also recurrent, mainly in the form of accounts of experiences with diseases, which proved fruitful for engagement and learning. Conclusion: The visit to the exhibition enabled health-related learning.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: health communication
  topic: keywords
subject: science museums
  topic: keywords
subject: science-related conversations
  topic: keywords
subject: family audiences
  topic: keywords
creator: Alice Ribeiro
creator: Luisa Massarani
creator: Antero Vinicius Portela Firmino Pinto
creator: Juliane Barros da Silva
creator: Tayana Galvão Scheiffer de Paula Antunes
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 65
ending page: 82
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9311

School Violence and Mental Health in Chilean Digital Media Post-COVID-19
type: item
description: Introduction: According to the National Institute for Human Rights, in the first half of 2022, following the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, 1,700 more reports of school violence were recorded in the first half of 2022 compared to the previous two years and media coverage of violent crime has increased significantly. Objectives: to identify -under the model of Subjective Theories (ST)- those aspects present in the media discourse related to the causes, intervening conditions and strategies for dealing with school violence after the return to face-to-face attendance in Chilean educational establishments. This violence, exacerbated in the post-pandemic context, has a negative impact on the mental health of students, which makes it a relevant phenomenon for public health policies. Methodology: a comparative content analysis of the publications of SoyChile.cl and El Mostrador.cl during the last month of classes in 2022 was carried out. Results: both media explained the phenomenon as ‘a structural problem’, distancing diagnosis and treatment from the actors directly involved. Conclusion: school violence is considered an unavoidable and unapproachable reality, factors that exempt caregivers, teachers, principals, authorities and students who could eventually take an active part in the prevention or solution of the phenomenon from responsibility.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: school violence
  topic: keywords
subject: school coexistence
  topic: keywords
subject: press
  topic: keywords
subject: subjective theories
  topic: keywords
creator: Fabiana Carola Rodríguez-Pastene Vicencio
creator: Pablo Castro Carrasco
creator: David Cuadra Martínez
creator: Sara Sorza Molina
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 51
ending page: 64
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9619

Influencers, brands and sexual health promotion
type: item
description: Introduction: This research explores the case of Durex Spain’s branded content strategy on TikTok, specifically through its sexual advice series “Hay tema.” This project has been recognized and awarded at the TikTok Awards Spain (2022), Inspirational Awards (2023), BCMA Spain Awards (2023), and National Marketing Awards (2024). Objectives: The study aims to analyze the profile and characteristics of the influencers involved, their impact in terms of engagement, and the content formats used. Methodology: A quantitative-qualitative methodological triangulation has been adopted, combining content analysis with in-depth interviews. Results: The findings indicate that the reach and interaction of the content are not influenced by the influencer’s gender or their original audience, but rather by the interest generated by the topic of each post. Additionally, Durex demonstrates an adaptation to common content types and narratives on the platform, such as explanatory videos, video podcasts, and street interviews. Conclusion: The conclusions emphasize the importance for brands with educational goals to adapt their digital strategies to the preferences of younger generations. This involves adopting an accessible tone and popular formats that integrate infotainment and credibility.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Branded Content
  topic: keywords
subject: Influencers
  topic: keywords
subject: TikTok
  topic: keywords
subject: Generation Z
  topic: keywords
subject: Durex
  topic: keywords
subject: Generation Alpha
  topic: keywords
subject: Sex education
  topic: keywords
creator: Daniel Zomeño-Jiménez
creator: Victoria Tur-Viñes
creator: Carlos Cuesta-Martínez
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 22
ending page: 36
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9143

Design and pilot testing of an educational strategy based on behavioral and communication models within Mutual Aid Groups to improve the lifestyle of people living with type 2 diabetes in Mexico
type: item
description: Abstract Introduction: Mutual Aid Groups (MAGs) are essential for the self-care of people living with type 2 diabetes (PLD) in Mexico. However, they have areas for improvement, particularly in communication between healthcare providers and PLD. Objective: To design and pilot a Healthy Living Educational Strategy for PLD (HLED) and evaluate its impact on their lifestyle. Methodology: The HLED was implemented in two MAGs (urban and rural) in Cuernavaca, Morelos. It was based on behavioral models and structured on the Multimedia Training Methodology, grounded in the Theoretical Model of Communication for Development and the Participatory Communication Model. The strategy included four monthly theoretical-practical workshops. Pre- and post-tests were conducted using the Validated Instrument to Measure the Lifestyle of PLD, generating a lifestyle index (0–100; higher scores indicate healthier lifestyles). Multiple regression models were used to evaluate the impact. Results: The study included 19 women and 4 men (mean age: 56.2 ± 10 years). Participants attending all workshops scored 34.04 points higher on the lifestyle index compared to those attending only one workshop (95% CI: 20.77, 47.31; p<0.01). Conclusion: The HLED shows potential to improve the lifestyle of PLD in MAGs.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: Type 2 diabetes
  topic: keywords
subject: Mutual Aid Groups
  topic: keywords
subject: Mexico
  topic: keywords
subject: diabetes education
  topic: keywords
subject: lifestyle
  topic: keywords
creator: Alejandra Jiménez Aguilar
creator: Georgina Eugenia Bazán-Riverón
creator: Ignacio Méndez-Gómez-Humarán
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-12-19
publication date: 2025-12-19
starting page: 7
ending page: 21
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.9099

Instagram and its influence on the mental health of young people in Extremadura
type: item
description: Introduction: The arrival of social networks today has caused the way we communicate, entertain and inform ourselves to evolve and, although they can provide multiple advantages, they can also be harmful, especially to the mental health of young people. Objective: To analyze the behavior and habits of young people from Extremadura on the Instagram platform, in order to understand its correlation with mental health. Methodology: A survey was administered covering four dimensions: socio-demographic profile; knowledge and usage of social media; usage and influence; and mental health and harmful habits. A total of 103 responses were collected from young people aged between 12 and 30 years. Results: It is noteworthy that young people from Extremadura are not fully informed about the risks that SM can pose, limiting their ability to recognize and address symptoms and negative consequences. Conclusion: It is vital to promote comprehensive digital education aimed at children, adolescents, and young adults, fostering the adoption of healthy practices and habits online.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: social media
  topic: keywords
subject: mental health
  topic: keywords
subject: adolescent
  topic: keywords
subject: Instagram
  topic: keywords
subject: digital education
  topic: keywords
creator: Marta Santillana Sandoval
creator: Patricia de Casas Moreno
creator: Elizabeth Guadalupe Rojas-Estrada
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-06-19
publication date: 2025-06-19
starting page: 8
ending page: 21
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.8613

Podcasting
type: item
description: Introduction: Podcasting has emerged as an easily accessible and user-friendly educational resource, utilized by educators to enhance the delivery of knowledge and academic content. Objectives: Analyze the use of a collection of podcasts - Xpódcast - in nursing degree teaching through students' consumption patterns and the satisfaction with this resource. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 130 students who completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions, inquiries about podcast playback, and the Educational Podcast Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSEPQ). Results: The results showed that, overall, students were highly satisfied with the implementation of Xpódcast in the course (35.94 points on the SSEPQ scale), with all items rated above 3.4 points on average. There were gender differences regarding the location (p=0,042) and time of day (p=0.039) chosen by men and women for podcast playback. Conclusion: The evidence obtained positions podcasting as an effective academic tool for knowledge transmission. Its use and ubiquity facilitate the reinforcement of educational content that is taught in traditional classroom settings.
subject: Originals
  topic: section
subject: podcast
  topic: keywords
subject: gender
  topic: keywords
subject: satisfaction
  topic: keywords
subject: education
  topic: keywords
subject: studentes
  topic: keywords
creator: José Ángel Aragón-Guerrero
creator: Noelia Navas-Echazarreta
creator: Ignacio M. Larrayoz
creator: Regina Ruiz de Viñaspre-Hernandez
creator: Clara Isabel Tejada-Garrido
creator: Emmanuel Echániz-Serrano
creator: Sofía Pérez-Calahorra
creator: Eduardo Mir-Ramos
creator: Enrique Ramón-Arbués
creator: Raúl Juárez-Vela
creator: Pedro José Satústegui-Dordá
creator: Juan José Aguilón-Leiva
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud
date: 2025-06-19
publication date: 2025-06-19
starting page: 59
ending page: 74
doi: 10.20318/recs.2025.8777