Effective Communication in Public Health

Aug 17, 2024

CPH Review Session: Communications

Introduction

  • Presenter: Alexa Newman
    • BA in Biological Sciences, minor in Psychology and Public Health
    • MPH in Epidemiology
    • Environmental Epidemiologist at Corveta Agroscience
  • Focus: Communications in Public Health
  • Interaction: Q&A and chat open for questions and discussion

Importance of CPH Certification

  • Demonstrates commitment to public health and continuous education
  • Provides a competitive advantage
  • Encourages staying updated with trends and topics
  • Offers professional development opportunities
  • Part of a broader CPH community (including a book club)
  • Adds credentials to your professional title

Exam Logistics

  • Year-round, computer-based exam
  • 200 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours
  • Exam covers various domains: data, law and ethics, communication, program management, etc.

Communication Domain Overview

  • Key areas: strategies and methods, health literacy, ethical communication, team building
  • Domain covers responsible communication, identifying gaps, health literacy, risk communication, and more

Key Topics in Communication

Responsible and Professional Communication

  • Focus on facts, avoid jargon
  • Consider who may see the message
  • Own your communication

Identifying Communication Needs and Gaps

  • Consider sources of information: personal networks, community level, social media

Health Literacy

  • Average US adult reads at an 8th-grade level
  • Use plain language, active voice, familiar terminology

Developing Communication Plans

  • Understand the audience, their needs, and motivations
  • 4 Ps of Public Health marketing: product, price, place, promotion

Culturally Appropriate Approaches

  • Personal vs. organizational health literacy
  • Importance of involving stakeholders and trusted messengers

Risk Communication

  • Definitions: hazard, risk, exposure
  • Types of information: misinformation, disinformation, mal-information
  • Be transparent, close the loop
  • Crisis communication stages: pre-crisis, initial, maintenance, resolution, evaluation

Platforms for Communication

  • Utilize social, digital, and traditional media
  • Consider audience access and interaction capabilities

Assessing Communication Effectiveness

  • Understand audience use of information
  • Be iterative and open to change

Ethical Principles in Communication

  • Ensure accessibility, accuracy, and respectful communication

Facilitation Skills

  • Be present, actively listen, resolve conflicts

Translating Data

  • Be aware of potential misinterpretation
  • Provide context, maintain ethical standards

Practice Questions

  • Reviewed key concepts through multiple-choice questions

Conclusion

  • Emphasize the importance of CPH and preparation
  • Encouragement through quotes: Starting is the first step to success

Q&A Session

  • Clarification on misinformation, common terminology, and cultural competence
  • Discussed strategies for answering exam questions

This session provided a comprehensive overview of communication strategies in public health, emphasizing the importance of effective and ethical communication practices.