How do public health professionals best communicate with the public and other officials in emergency situations or times of uncertainty? How can we simultaneously protect people and keep panic at a minimum? During this program, Kristine A. Smith, Director of Public Health Risk Communication, Office of Science and Public Health, New York Department of Health, describes pitfalls to avoid and provides clear guidelines for public health professionals who need to communicate most effectively during public health crises, with special attention to pandemic influenza.
This 60-minute program from the University at Albany Center for Public Health Preparedness has the following objectives:
- Anticipate common reactions to events that threaten the public's health and well-being (e.g., speculation, anger and concern, instant experts.
- Describe the three types of "noise" which commonly distort public health messages in the event of an emergency (e.g. physical, cultural/literacy and psychological barriers).
- Use core principles of risk communication to focus health messages effectively in an emergency, gain trust and overcome "mental noise."
- Describe at least three ways to best communicate with the public and other officials in high risk situations (e.g. plan ahead; respond quickly; be accurate, competent, and compassionate, etc.
For more information or to view a webcast of this program, please go to the Center for Public Health Preparedness website.
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