The extent and nature of communication activities for the prevention and control for communicable diseases across Europe is currently unknown. To address this knowledge gap, ECDC commissioned a Research Consortium of universities (National University of Ireland Galway, Institute for Social Marketing, University of Stirling, Scotland, and University of Navarra Clinic, Spain) to map current use and application of health communication activities, and to identify perceived needs for efficacious use of health communication in relation to the prevention and control of communicable diseases across the EU, EEA and EFTA countries.