Former William H. Gates Sr. Institute Director Jose “Oying” Rimon II has co-authored the article, “Social and Behavior Change Communication in Sexual and Reproductive Health,” with Dr. Suruchi Sood for the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Global Public Health.
The article highlights the critical role of Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) in improving health outcomes and addressing the social determinants of health. SBCC is a vital public health strategy that goes beyond preventing, controlling, and treating diseases. It also focuses on fostering social change by influencing individual behaviors and transforming social norms.
Oying’s decades of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating health communication programs provides a poignant look at best practices for SBCC interventions, emphasizing the importance of theory-based, evidence-driven approaches that consider cultural, social, and political contexts.
