Transdisciplinary Science: The Nexus Between Communication and Public Health

Theory development and empirical research conducted at the intersection of communication and public health are advancing both academic disciplines and accelerating progress toward important societal goals. An exciting emergent new research framework that combines key aspects of these 2 disciplinary perspectives has developed and become known as public health communication. This article examines the major intersections between health communication and public health scholarship that underlies public health communication; identifies unique theoretical, methodological, and societal contributions from the nexus between these 2 disciplines; and suggests fruitful directions for future collaborations. We also examine ways that collaboration between health communication and public health scholars has begun to generate important transdisciplinary scientific outcomes.