Section: Module 8: Effective Risk Communication | Pandemic Etiology, Preparedness, and Response | NextGenU.org

  • Instructional Goals covered in this module:
    • Use appropriate communication strategies and styles for different audiences to effectively communicate public health information, promote awareness, counter misinformation, and advocate for policies and programs during a pandemic.

    • Module 8: Lesson 1: Effective Public Health Communication for Different Audiences

      Student Learning Outcomes:

      Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

      • Outline strategies for effectively communicating model-based and evidence-based public health research findings to various stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness and response efforts.
      • Develop public health communications using techniques and strategies for different audiences to promote awareness and counter misinformation.

      Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 5 hours and 46 minutes.

      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • url icon
      COVID-19: Guidelines for Communicating about Coronavirus Disease 2019 URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the headings "I. Key Concepts of Risk Communication" on pages 1-2 and "II. Overall Communication Goals for a COVID-19 Outbreak" on page 3. (7 minutes)

      PAHO/WHO

    • url icon
      Transparency, communication and trust : The role of public communication in responding to the wave of disinformation about the new Coronavirus URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire article. (22 minutes)

      Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

    • url icon
      Toward effective government communication strategies in the era of COVID-19 URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the headings "Abstract" and "Pandemic communications: foundations and recommendations." (31 minutes)

      Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

    • url icon
      Communicating About Vaccine Safety: Guidelines to Help Health Workers Communicate with Parents, Caregivers, and Patients URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content on pages 45-56. (23 minutes)

      PAHO

    • forum icon
      Peer Activity 1 (180 mins) Forum
      Students must
      View
      Start discussions: 1

      Flyer/Poster Outline
      In this activity, you will create a poster with key points about a pandemic-related topic and countering misinformation for a specific audience.
      Instructions

      1. For your flyer/poster:
        1. Select 1 of the audiences below and create an attractive 1 page poster (8.5” x 11” in size) with relevant graphics that will be used to disseminate key points about a pandemic-related topic
          1. Elderly
          2. Adolescents
          3. Vulnerable Population
        2. Counter at least one misinformation surrounding the topic you have selected.
        3. Provide justification for the format and language used and a short rationale explaining how the techniques and strategies learned in the course were applied.
      2. You must cite and reference at least two credible sources on your poster. All references should follow the 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource
      3. To submit your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “message” box. To share your flyer/poster, you can upload it to google drive, or any other service of your choice. (Paste the link here and make sure that it is visible for people with the link). If the recording was made in a language other than English, state the language in the file’s name.
      4. Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - F of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

      Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item E is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item F is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….

    • Recommended Additional Readings
    • url icon
      Checklist for Planning a Natural Risk Communication Strategy URL

      This resource provides a list of activities that should be performed in developing an effective risk communication strategy for a public health crisis. If you have time, please review the steps outlined in this list to understand the components of a national risk communication plan. (13 minutes)

      PAHO/WHO

    • Module 8: Lesson 2: Advocacy During Pandemics

      Student Learning Outcomes:

      Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

      • Recognize the importance of advocacy for policies and programs to improve public health preparedness and response during pandemic situations.
      • Discuss advocacy strategies that can be used to shape public opinion and promote public health policies and programs during pandemics.

      Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 1 hour and 45 minutes.

      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • url icon
      Advocacy, community engagement and cross-sectoral collaborations as key strategies during COVID-19 response and beyond URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire article. (15 minutes)

      Taylor & Francis Online

    • url icon
      Building Vaccine Acceptance through Communication and Advocacy URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the headings "Advocacy to increase vaccine acceptance" and "Conclusion." (3 minutes)

      Taylor & Francis Online

    • url icon
      10 Steps to Community Readiness URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the entire document. (6 minutes)

      WHO

    • url icon
      Effective Emergency Health Advocacy URL
      Students must
      View

      Read the content under the heading "7.5 Steps for effective humanitarian health advocacy." (21 minutes)

      WHO

    • quiz icon
      Quiz: Module 8

      To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.

      TO PASS THIS QUIZ YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 80%.

      Not available unless: The activity Quiz: Module 7 is marked complete
    • Recommended Additional Readings
    • url icon
      "Stronger Together" Campaign to Highlight Importance of Psychosocial Support During Times of Stress and Crisis URL

      This page provides an overview of a campaign in Barbados to advocate for mental health and well-being during a health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and destigmatize mental health services. If you have time, please review this summary. (3 minutes)

      PAHO