The short answer: health communication interviews, for hospitals, public health agencies, health nonprofits and healthcare companies, test whether you can turn medical and public health information into messages people understand, trust and act on. Expect questions on health literacy and plain language, planning campaigns, reaching diverse audiences, misinformation, emergency communication, working with clinicians, patient privacy and measuring results, plus a writing test. Answer with campaigns or materials you made, the audience, and what changed. Below are the common questions with sample answers.
Sample answers are illustrations, not quotes from real candidates.
The idea at the center of the job: health literacy
The CDC uses the Healthy People 2030 definitions. “Personal health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Organizational health literacy is the degree to which organizations “equitably enable” people to do the same. Health communicators work on the second: making information easy to find, understand and use. Using these terms correctly in an interview shows you know the field.
Plain language and health literacy
“How do you make complex health information easy to understand?”
Start with the one action you want people to take, use everyday words and short sentences, explain any necessary medical term, use visuals and examples, and test the material with people from the audience.
“How do you check that your materials work?”
Readability checks are a start, but user testing is better: ask a few people from the audience to explain the material back or find specific information, and revise.
Campaigns and audiences
“Walk me through a health campaign you led.”
Sample answer: “Our county wanted more adults aged 45 to 75 to get screened for colorectal cancer. Interviews with residents showed fear of the procedure and not knowing about at-home tests. We focused the campaign on the at-home test, with messages from local doctors and patients, in English and Spanish, through clinics, pharmacies, radio and community health workers. Over six months, requests for at-home kits at partner clinics rose by about 35%, and we adjusted the radio spots after the first month when they underperformed.”
“How do you reach communities that don’t trust health institutions?”
Listen first, partner with trusted local messengers, involve the community in designing messages, communicate in their languages and channels, and follow through on what you promise.
Misinformation and emergencies
“How would you respond to health misinformation spreading online?”
Assess its reach and harm, respond with clear facts and a simple explanation rather than repeating the myth, use trusted messengers, and make accurate information easy to find.
“How do you communicate during a public health emergency?”
Be first, be right, be credible, show empathy, give people actions, and show respect: the CDC’s principles of crisis and emergency risk communication. See our crisis communication interview questions.
Working with clinicians, privacy and measurement
- “How do you work with physicians who want to include every detail?” Agree on the audience and goal, keep the essentials, and get their review for accuracy.
- “How do you handle patient stories and privacy?” Written consent, only what’s necessary, and following your organization’s privacy policies under laws such as HIPAA.
- “How do you measure success?” Reach and engagement, plus outcomes such as appointments booked, screenings, calls to a hotline or changes in survey knowledge.
The writing test
Expect to rewrite a technical paragraph for patients, draft a social post or a short press release, or write a public health announcement. Lead with the action, keep it short and plain, and include where to get help.
See also our science communication and communications interview guides.
Frequently asked questions
What questions are asked in a health communication interview?
What is health literacy?
How do I answer a question about a health campaign?
How should health communicators respond to misinformation?
What is the writing test in a health communication interview?
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, What Is Health Literacy?. Read on 1 October 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CERC: Introduction (Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication, 2018 update). Read on 1 October 2026.
