Asia’s population and family planning programmes: Leaders in strategic communication

Abstract

Countries in Asia played a key a role in identifying problems related to population growth and high fertility and in developing strategies to address these problems. Despite the economic problems experienced by some, they continue to lead the world in designing and implementing programs in the areas of reproductive and family health using a strategic communication approach. This modern strategic communication program has the following characteristics: science and research-based, client-centered, benefit-oriented, service-linked, entertainment-education focused, professionally developed, and programmatically sustainable. This paper describes several outstanding Asian family planning communication programs in 5 countries that clearly illustrate these 7 elements. Overall, these Asian countries have shown that strategic communication can be the steering wheel for modern family planning and health promotion programs. The article concludes by giving future directions for strategic communication programs to address new emerging health and population concerns in the region.