Health and Risk Communication Center
We are a collection of over 50 faculty members who engage in communication-based education, outreach, and research related to risk reduction and health promotion. We engage trans-disciplinary communication research and activities that promote healthy lifestyle choices, address environmental risk factors, and maintain food security.
Our Objectives
The HRCC Center team includes experts in the areas of health and risk communication, environmental and science communication, mass media, new technology, interpersonal communication, family communication, and intercultural communication. Our team uses message production, statistical methods, focus groups, and surveys to study topics related to a wide variety of topical areas ranging from obesity to water conservation. Our team is able to provide specialized knowledge and expertise on all aspects of the communication process and we offer specialized services that can be applied to any health or risk issue.
The primary objectives of the HRCC are:
- To apply theory-driven communication expertise across all phases of the public communication campaign process, including formative research, message design, message dissemination, and summative evaluation.
- To ensure that health and risk messages are culturally sensitive and appropriate to audience health literacy levels.
- To facilitate the development and conduct of grant projects in the health and risk communication domains and to bring our expertise to interdisciplinary grant teams.
- To provide consultation to organizations seeking to create and disseminate health and risk messages to audiences.
- To create interdisciplinary ties with faculty at MSU and other institutions to facilitate research, teaching, and mentoring of students in health communication-related areas.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations from HRCC team projects to practitioners and consumers.
Master of Arts in Health Risk Communication
The Health and Risk Communication M.A. program is designed to educate students in both the theory and practice of health communication. Specifically, students learn to design, write, implement and evaluate evidence-based health communication materials to prevent and address health problems in our society.
Center News
Lapinski Named International Communication Association Fellow
Maria Lapinski has been named a Fellow of the International Communication Association (ICA). She is appointed as a professor in the Department of Communication, with a secondary appointment with MSU AgBioResearch. Lapinski accepted this prestigious honor during the 74th Annual ICA Conference held June 20-24, 2024 in Australia. Her two teenage sons accompanied her to celebrate her achievement.
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Our Team
The HRCC Center team includes experts in the areas of health and risk communication, mass media, new technology, interpersonal communication, family communication, and intercultural communication.
Faculty
Maria Lapinski
ProfessorDepartment
CommunicationDr. Maria Lapinski is joint-appointed as a Professor in the Department of Communication and Michigan Ag-Bio Research at Michigan State University (MSU).
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Faculty
Sandi Smith
University Distinguished ProfessorDepartment
CommunicationSandi W. Smith is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.
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Faculty
John Besley
Ellis N. Brandt Professor of Public RelationsDepartment
Advertising + Public RelationsDr. Besley studies public opinion about science and scientists' opinions about the public in the context of trying to help science communicators be more strategic.
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Faculty
Bruno Takahashi
Brandt Endowed Professor of Environmental CommunicationDepartment
JournalismBruno Takahashi is a professor of environmental journalism and communication at Michigan State University with a joint appointment in the School of Journalism and AgBioResearch.
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Faculty
Ralf Schmälzle
Associate Professor of Communication ScienceDepartment
CommunicationRalf Schmälzle, Ph.D. (SHMAL-ts-lee, 拉尔夫·舍马尔兹勒) is an Associate Professor of Communication Science in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. His research focuses on brain responses to real-life messages in the domains of health communication and entertainment media. He is cross-trained in communication and psychology, and integrates methods from cognitive neuroscience and AI.
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Faculty
Shawn Turner
Professor of PracticeDepartment
CommunicationShawn Turner is a Professor of Strategic Communication at Michigan State University, and a National Security Communication Analyst for CNN. He is an established expert in communication leadership, strategy, and crisis management.
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Contact Us
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding our program, please contact us via the information below.
Health and Risk Communication Center
Communication Arts and Sciences
Michigan State University
404 Wilson Road, 573A
East Lansing, MI 48823