Encouraging self management of health issues

A decade ago, the NHS decided to use social marketing campaigns to help deliver its wider healthcare marketing vision. This was initially to encourage individuals and communities to take better care of their health and wellbeing, but also to make best use of NHS resources in future years.

Now an integral part of their healthcare planning and implementation strategy, social marketing behavioural change campaigns are a common sight across the UK.

Saving money, making best use of resources and encouraging people to play their part in managing their own health and lifestyles, social marketing has proven to be a winning formula for the NHS and its healthcare partners.

What types of health schemes have been delivered?

Perfect Circle has led the field in healthcare social marketing in recent years and fully understands how well researched, planned and implemented schemes can lead to people making important lifestyle decisions, in terms of adopting healthy habits and behaviours, to prevent ill health in future life.

A portfolio of social marketing projects

From encouraging sexual health and vaccination programmes to the 15-18 age range, openness workshops about mental health in the workplace, to the dangers associated with taking legal highs, Perfect Circle has a portfolio of healthcare projects that demonstrate the abilities of social marketing.

One particularly successful scheme was delivered for NHS North Lancashire. This innovative men’s campaign was designed to address inequalities in the health of its male population aged 30-74. Detailed behavioural research confirmed that men in this age range are susceptible to high mortality rates from CVD.

The campaign provided men with access to a quick and convenient mobile health check that was available to them at their place of work.
“We believe in the power and potential of social marketing to make a difference in our world,” said Oliver Morton, Managing
Director of Perfect Circle.

“It’s not a question of social marketing being a viable healthcare marketing technique, but how much change it can lead to.”