Communication Capacity during the Outbreak of Novel Influenza H1N1: An Evaluation of Health Departments in a Public Health Practice Based Research Network

A critical component to emergency preparedness is effective communication between public health departments, health care professionals, community institutions/ organizations and the general public. A need for effective and timely dissemination of information was of obvious importance during the recent outbreak of Novel Influenza H1N1. This study evaluated the efforts of local health departments (LHD) in Kentucky, including LHD members of a public health practice based research network (PBRN), in communicating with and disseminating information regarding H1N1 to healthcare professionals, community organizations, and the public. This study is an examination of communication efforts of LHD members of the Kentucky Public Health Research Network (K-HReN) compared to other LHDs in KY regarding response activities during the initial H1N1 outbreak. Data was collected from a survey of LHDs in Kentucky and LHD members of K-PHReN. K-PHReN is a public health PBRN made up of LHDs in Kentucky and their associated community partners.The populations studied include LHDs in Kentucky and LHD members of the Kentucky Public Health Research Network. K-PHReN health departments were more likely than non-K-PHReN departments to hold conference calls or briefings with local health care professionals, health care facilities and other organizations regarding H1N1. K-PHReN health departments were also more likely to use media protocols for processing inquiries regarding H1N1, and to hold separate briefings or press conferences with media organizations. K-PHReN LHDs were more likely to have a plan in place for activating quarantine and isolation orders and to review those plans with public safety and law enforcement officials during the course of the H1N1 outbreak. These finding suggest that health departments involved in a PBRN may have a more complete and sophisticated response to outbreaks of infectious disease. However, deficits may exist in the departmental responses, particularly regarding reaching community members who may use Spanish language media outlets.