After emerging as the best graduating student from the 2016 set of the Department of Mass Communication, Kaduna State University, Nathaniel Godwin Udoh has proceeded to the United States of America on a scholarship award, where he is focusing on public interest communication, particularly health, risk and science communication.
The stellar KASU graduate has been undertaking research to improve health literacy, as well as contribute to the attainment of health equity, especially amongst underserved communities and families.
Nathaniel Godwin, who is a part of the research team at the Public InterestCommunication lab, West Virginia University is seeking to provide solution to health disparity in the State of West Virginia. This collaborative project seeks to address what remains an age-long national concern.
Records show he has continually maintain high academic feats, recording 4.00/4.00 CGPA in his two semesters at West Virginia University, where he is specializing in communication for public interest.
Speaking on his feat, Nathaniel said “I have always wanted to use my expertise and training in public health communication to contribute positively to society, especially vulnerable communities. I find it fulfilling that I am able to contribute to issues that contributes towards the betterment of communities and humanity.”
“In the lab, I have been opportune to help with analysis of topline data on long COVID, which is now a major concern for people, and the study is helping us understand people’s perception. Also, we have a project on understanding people’s trust in science communication, because part of the problem with health literacy is confidence in the communication,” Nathaniel explained.
“These studies do not just stop on the desk or, we use our translational lab to also translate research findings into actionable recommendations for implementation and policy decisions. I am glad that I continue to work in these spheres and I hope to continue doing the same for a very long time,” he added.
The World Health Organization summaries helath literacy as the personal characteristics and social resources needed for individuals and communities to access, understand, appraise and use information and services to make decisions about health”. It plays an important role in encouraging people and communities to participate in health care and build their resilience, improve their health and well-being, address health inequities.
The WHO says that both developed and developing countries are dealing health literacy, and issues of health inequity have become parts of burning national issues, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed over 6.9 millions lives globally.
