First dose: welcome to the Comms Rx
Your prescription for strategic and clear communication in healthcare and beyond.
Bonjour, hello, and welcome to the Comms Rx! I am glad to have you here.
My name is Maxime Lê, founder of Lê & Co. Health Communication Santé, and a patient and caregiver partner in Canada since 2017. I launched my firm to blend academic expertise in health communication with real-world professional experience — all grounded with my lived and living experience of chronic and acute illness and invisible disability.
I created the Comms Rx with one core belief, that:
Communication is a determinant of health.
This is how I personally conceptualize the field of health communication.
And while that statement may sound bold, my work across hospitals, research institutes, government agencies, and nonprofits has shown me just how often unclear, misaligned, or poorly produced communications quietly influences trust, care quality, and indeed, our health outcomes.
This space exists to reflect on that belief — and to explore the ways communication shapes systems, services, and the people they aim to support. To that end I will try to practice what I preach, and you can expect to see me:
Using plain language and simplifying the science in the articles I write
Bringing nuanced perspectives to complex issues
Making sense of why what you read matters at the end of the day
Who is this meant for?
This newsletter is for anyone navigating the complex world of healthcare, policy, or research — especially if you’ve ever found yourself saying:
“Why isn’t this reaching people?”
“We need to explain this better.”
“How do we build trust?”
“More people should know about this.”
“How can I advocate for better care?”
Our readers are often patient and caregiver partners, health system leaders, academics and researchers, and policy and decision-makers.
What you can expect
Keep on reading the Comms Rx, because we will share:
Strategic breakdowns of what works (and what doesn’t) in health communication
Big-picture thinking on trust, literacy, and ethical tech
Communications tips and strategies developed through real-world consulting work
Occasional deep dives for paid subscribers, including access to resources and behind-the-scenes insights
My approach combines strategic communications consulting, lived experience in healthcare, and a systems lens: one that sees communication not as an afterthought, but as an integral component of any health strategy.
I’ll also be testing out free vs. professional (paid) tiers, so stay tuned for details on how to access premium professional content and tools if you want to go deeper. Think of it as having a communications consultant in your back pocket.
Join the conversation
If any of this resonates, feel free to reply, comment, or share. This is a space for health advocates, leaders, and thinkers — people who care not just about what gets said, but how it’s said, and who it reaches, and why it all matters.
Thank you for subscribing. I hope to enjoy your readership in the next piece.
Together we can make communication a determinant of health.
— Max