This session will describe the evolution of a national campaign to promote influenza immunization for people with diabetes. CDC estimates that people with diabetes are three times more likely to die with flu and pneumonia than people without the disease. In 1997, only 52.1 percent of people with diabetes reported having had an influenza vaccination, and only 33.2 percent reported ever having had a pneumococcal vaccination. Vaccination rates are even lower in racial and ethnic minority populations: Hispanics (41.0 percent) and African Americans (48.1 percent). The campaign, called the Life Preserver Campaign, is implemented through CDC’s State Diabetes Control Programs. It was piloted in 1997, and has grown each year. The evolution and continued popularity of the campaign has been fostered by adding new components each year. These new components include an expanded the line of materials, targeted technical assistance, new partnership opportunities, and unique delivery channels. The national campaign provides an umbrella for state and local activities by establishing the common goal to motivate the target population to get an annual flu shot. The campaign relies on two main strategies: health communications and/or health systems improvement. State and local efforts are further united by a common theme (Life Preserver), and consistent messages and graphics.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: (1) describe the evolution of a national campaign to promote influenza immunization for people with diabetes; (2) describe how aspects of a national health communication campaign were successfully integrated into local campaigns across the United States; (3) discuss health communication strategies used by campaign organizers to maintain interest in the campaign over three years
Keywords: Diabetes, Immunizations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employee of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention