The field of health communication today is one of the most vigorous in the communication discipline and represents one of the most exciting in terms of opportunity for the application of scholarship to everyday life. As researchers, educators, health care providers, policy makers and students, we understand the importance of theory in the advancement of science; we also understand the importance of practice in reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life. Our goal for the 2010 Kentucky Conference on Health Communication (KCHC), a biennial conference begun two decades ago, is to promote the advancement of health communication research and practice by providing participants a venue to share their work, discuss current issues, and develop working relationships to promote the health communication research agenda.
The theme for the 2010 KCHC is “Health Communication Theory and Practice.” This theme is purposefully broad to be inclusive of cutting-edge research trends; however, topics will likely focus on interventions designed for health behavior risk reduction (e.g., substance abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention), interpersonal communication (e.g., patient-provider and social support in relation to diseases such as cancer and diabetes), media and technology related issues (e.g., interactive health communication and electronic medical records), and methodological issues in behavioral/social science research.
The first day pre-conference will focus on new media technology in health communication and feature major invited speakers: Lynn Miller, Professor of Communication, University of Southern California–Annenberg School; David Buller, Senior Scientist and the Director of Research at Klein Buendel; Vicki Freimuth, Professor of Communication, University of Georgia, and former Director of Communication at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Debra Lieberman, Institute for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research (ISBER) at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
The next two days will feature competitive papers, posters, and panel proposals that focus on issues of theory and practice that health communication researchers and practitioners face. Friday, April 23 will feature competitive papers, posters, and panel sessions. Saturday, April 24 will feature competitive papers and panel sessions, as well as a luncheon presentation by the Donohew Health Communication Scholar Award winner.

For all three days (April 22-24) At the priority rate (on or before March 31, 2010): $160 At the regular rate (after March 31, 2010): $210 At the priority student rate (on or before March 31, 2010): $95 At the regular student rate (after March 31, 2010): $135 Pricing includes lunches on April 22 and April 24; continental breakfasts and breaks each day; and the conference reception on April 23. Reduced pricing is available for those interested in attending the preconference only (April 22) or the conference only (April 23-24).