221291 CDC's communication efforts around non-pharmaceutical interventions to help slow the spread of 2009 pandemic influenza (H1N1)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Kathryn Maddox, MPH, CHES , Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Gabrielle Benenson, MPH , Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lisa Barrios, DrPH , Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took a multidisciplinary approach in response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic that included science, policy, technical assistance, and communication. Since non-pharmaceutical interventions can help slow the spread of influenza early in a pandemic before vaccines or antivirals become available, CDC developed guidance and recommendations around the use of these interventions to slow the spread of influenza in community settings. These settings included ports of entry, K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, businesses, and childcare programs. CDC also created tools to help administrators and partners communicate and implement the guidance in their respective settings. These tools encouraged the adoption of individual behaviors and community measures to help slow the spread of influenza and included question and answer documents, fact sheets, template letters, posters, prepared responses for the CDC-INFO Contact Center, and travelers' health alert notices. The coordinated development of multiple tools and channels for sharing information and evaluation of these materials helped build a foundation for future communication efforts around non-pharmaceutical interventions and pandemic response.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1. List at least 3 examples of non-pharmaceutical interventions. 2. Explain the importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions early in a pandemic. 3. Describe why schools and childcare settings are important places for non-pharmaceutical interventions. 4. Identify 3 tools developed by CDC to encourage the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Keywords: Health Communications, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present on this content because I lead health communication efforts around non-pharmaceutical interventions that help reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.