Public information officers in the public health system: A profile of public health communicators

Introduction: The terrorist attacks of September 11 as well as the anthrax cases of 2001 greatly changed the practice of public health in the United States. As a result, communication professionals became integral members of the public health workforce, yet very little attention has been given to this group and their specific functions. Methods: An online survey was conducted of the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) in November, 2011. One-hundred ninety seven of the 580 recipients (RR=35%) responded to the 23 item questionnaire. Results: Of the 197 survey participants only 171 were included for analysis. Most public health communicators are female (81.1%), ≥46 years of age (56.4%), possess at least a bachelor's degree (52%), are formally trained in communication/journalism (48.2%), and are full time appointments (64.9%). Developing press releases (95.4%) and creating materials to promote agency services (88.7%), were the most frequently reported job responsibilities. During crisis, participants indicated a greater likelihood of communicating with community health organizations (D36.4%), external health professionals (D40.4%), and other health departments (D28.4%). Conclusion: Public health PIOs serve as a communication bridge between public health departments and members of the jurisdiction/s served by the agency, particularly during times of crisis when information needs are highest. However, participants in this study report limited pre-crisis communication activities with other professionals involved in emergency management activities, which could consequently hinder an effective response to public health emergencies.