About Exchange

Exchange was a DFID-funded networking and learning programme on health communication for development. Between 2000 and 2005, Exchange worked with over 80 organisations around the world to strengthen communication processes and share learning from practical experiences.

An external review concluded that Exchange had ‘established itself as a leader in the field of health communication and as a credible source of information and expertise.’

What does effective health communication do?

Effective health communication:

• saves lives
• prevents the spread of diseases
• improves services
• increases social involvement
• cuts costs
• reduces the impact of poverty.

What did Exchange do?

Exchange had a unique focus on learning and the process of communication rather than simply focusing on outcomes.

Exchange:

• facilitated, analysed and shared learning
• encouraged dialogue, interaction and sharing
• built capacity
• identified effective communication processes, practices and strategies
• stimulated networking
• strengthened social mobilisation.

Exchange:

• organised regular lunchtime discussions on key health communication issues
• supported training and capacity development activities aimed at improving health communication practices
• advised organisations on health communication strategies
• enabled groups of people working on similar areas of interest to meet, discuss and share experience and learning
• supported networking initiatives – such as the Communication Initiative and INASP-Health
• managed this website - the key information will be made available through the Healthlink Worldwide website www.healthlink.org.uk in 2006.
• helped to identify and strengthen community-based health communication initiatives
• produced regular updates that signposted developments in health communication practice and strategy, such as findings papers.

‘Exchange helps others to do better what they want to do … it doesn’t set up its own projects and structures.’

Exchange worked closely with a range of organisations in the UK health communication sector that work in partnership with Southern organisations as well as working directly with some Southern organisations. These linkages and networks will continue through the work of Healthlink Worldwide.

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