Summary: This review surveys some of the most recent findings of inoculation theory in health contexts, with special attention to applications and findings that differ in key ways from conventional resistance to influence health research. New directions for future health and inoculation theory studies are also proposed, including attention to un- and under-explored modalities (e.g., games), issues (e.g., mental health) and methodologies (e.g., rhetorical analyses).  

Conceptual Rationale: At this pivotal moment of the need for effective strategic health communication efforts, an underlying premise of this review is that inoculation theory offers continued and underexplored potential. 

Methodology: Expert review of inoculation theory health communication research, with synthesis of key findings.  

Discussion of Findings: Studying inoculation theory is studying health communication, and a better understanding of each will inform the other, both in theorizing, conceptual development, and in transferring research findings to practice. Narrative reviews like this one can work in concert with individual empirical studies and with other types of reviews, such as meta-analyses. There is a place—and a need—for all types of work in inoculation theory and health communication. Future work is proposed in the health areas of safer sex, e-cigarettes, disordered eating, exercise commitment, COVID-19, and more; using mediums of online games, video, images, and more; incorporating theories of framing, social diffusion, mere exposure effect, and more; using quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, and other methodologies.  

Compton, J. (2024). Inoculation theory and health: Current trends and movements. Health Communication Interest Group of Eastern Communication Association, Cambridge, MA.