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Abstract #165364

• Slides (pdf) or Handout

Vicki Freimuth, PhD, Department of Speech Communication and Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 107 Coverdell Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30605, (706) 542-0586, freimuth@uga.edu

Intentionally-created disasters involve strategic attempts to terrorize a population. Public responses and needs and the communication challenges associated with such disasters differ from natural disasters. This presentation will describes the challenges experienced by the speaker as she directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's communication response to the 2001 anthrax attacks. Survey data will be presented to describe various stakeholders' (e.g., general public, citizens living in areas attacked, and minority populations) reactions to the anthrax attacks. Finally, the presentation will recommend a communication infrastructure necessary for effective communication response to terrorist attacks.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees at the session will be able to (
• understand communication challenges associated with disasters rooted in intentional attempts to terrorize, (
• identify stakeholders' responses to the anthrax attacks, and (
• understand the communication infrastructure necessary for responses to this type of disaster.

Keywords: Communication, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout