Promoting health equity through cross-sector strategies: the integration of communication public health

Communication is a fundamental human experience at both inter-and intrapersonal levels, deeply intertwined with societal development. Because of the integral role of communication in society, challenges in communication—whether due to differences, disorders, or environmental factors—can create significant barriers to full societal participation. Rather than viewing these challenges solely through the lens of “disability,” recognizing communication health as a distinct and essential aspect of public health is crucial for addressing these barriers and advancing health equity. This viewpoint introduces the concept of Communication Public Health, advocating for an integrated approach that unites the fields of communication sciences and disorders and public health to address communication health as a social determinant of health. It presents a conceptual framework that emphasizes collaboration across the education, employment, housing, and community sectors, highlighting the importance of perceiving communication challenges as modifiable barriers to full societal participation. It aims to offer insight and debate, and mobilize public health professionals to recognize and prioritize comm