 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Alan P Janssen, MSPH, CDC National Immunization Program, MS E05, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-8200, axj3@cdc.gov, Richard R. Tardif, PhD, Health and Safety Communications Group, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, LAB-10, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, Vincent T. Covello, PhD, Center for Risk Communication, 29 Washington Square West, Suite 2A, New York, NY 10011, and Mark Herring, EdD, Market Directions, Inc., 200 Walnut St., Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64106.
The National Immunization Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepared messages and materials to address smallpox as a weapon of terror. The information was designed for both the current situation, in which no smallpox is present, as well as in the event of an outbreak. First, stakeholders and their likely concerns were identified through analysis of media reports about smallpox, analysis of reports for other infectious diseases, and research determining the questions most likely to be asked in a crisis of this type. Communication needs other than the technical aspects of smallpox were identified, including such factors as financial impacts and civil liberties. Second, information to address these concerns was developed by interdisciplinary teams providing technical, legal, management and policy, and communications expertise. Third, two rounds of formative research were conducted to explore more fully the identification of concerns and materials developed. Target audiences included representation of various racial/ethnic and professional groups. Additionally, community forums were conducted to solicit opinions on vaccination-recommendations. Finally, the products created during this process were incorporated into the strategy and communication materials used by CDC in smallpox communication. They are available from CDC’s bioterrorism web site (http://www.cdc.bt.gov) and the senior author. Learning Objectives: Those who participate in this session will be able to: (1) describe the presence, processes, and results of the effort; and (2) obtain and use the materials developed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Bioterrorism, Communication
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.