292 research outputs found

    Health Department Prevention/Education Plans and Perceived Risks of Zika Infection

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    AbstractZika virus is an infectious disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito that has been linked to increased rates of microcephaly and other devastating birth defects. The existing body of knowledge has focused on the individual-level factors that influence a person’s decisions about prevention activities and risk perceptions related to Zika virus. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between state-level plans for prevention and education and individual-level risk perceptions. Rosenstock’s health belief model lays a foundation for why individuals make the health decisions they do and helps explain how these can be influenced for better health outcomes. The research questions addressed included understanding the relationship between public health departments’ level of engagement for prevention of Zika virus infection and the community’s perception of risk of contracting the virus; and the relationship between public health departments’ level of engagement for education of Zika virus infection and the community’s perception of risk of contracting the virus. A quantitative analysis of two datasets was performed to determine these relationships. An ordered logistic regression analysis was performed on the variables identified to address the research questions. A statistically significant relationship was found between high level of engagement in education activities and low risk perception. The results of this study will help health departments determine how to plan better for future Zika virus outbreaks. The positive social change implication of this study is that with better planning health departments can help reduce adverse health outcomes for their communities

    Health Department Prevention/Education Plans and Perceived Risks of Zika Infection

    Get PDF
    AbstractZika virus is an infectious disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito that has been linked to increased rates of microcephaly and other devastating birth defects. The existing body of knowledge has focused on the individual-level factors that influence a person’s decisions about prevention activities and risk perceptions related to Zika virus. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between state-level plans for prevention and education and individual-level risk perceptions. Rosenstock’s health belief model lays a foundation for why individuals make the health decisions they do and helps explain how these can be influenced for better health outcomes. The research questions addressed included understanding the relationship between public health departments’ level of engagement for prevention of Zika virus infection and the community’s perception of risk of contracting the virus; and the relationship between public health departments’ level of engagement for education of Zika virus infection and the community’s perception of risk of contracting the virus. A quantitative analysis of two datasets was performed to determine these relationships. An ordered logistic regression analysis was performed on the variables identified to address the research questions. A statistically significant relationship was found between high level of engagement in education activities and low risk perception. The results of this study will help health departments determine how to plan better for future Zika virus outbreaks. The positive social change implication of this study is that with better planning health departments can help reduce adverse health outcomes for their communities

    Spreading News: The Coverage Of Epidemics By American Newspapers And Its Effects On Audiences - A Crisis Communication Approach

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    Launched in 2002 in response to inadequate communications during the anthrax attacks and in preparations to the threats posed by H5N1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework provides health professionals with trainings, tools, and resources to help them communicate effectively during emergencies and public health crises. Since that time, the framework has been used by the organization during outbreaks of infectious diseases. A core argument of CERC is that lack of certainty, efficacy, and trust serve as barriers to compliance with and support in CDC during an outbreak. According to CERC, providing the public with information about health and social risks, as well as information about ways individuals and organizations may ameliorate threats, could counter these perceptions, improve communications, and eventually save lives. However, the dissemination of the organization’s crisis messages depends largely on the mass media coverage. Understanding the news media’s agenda, priorities and role during outbreaks is essential for improving the cooperation between CDC and journalists. However, CERC provides little information about the actual behavior of journalists during crises, as reflected in news coverage of past outbreaks. This work aims to fill that gap in our understanding of the routinization of news during epidemics and its impact on audiences by systematically analyzing the coverage of epidemics in leading newspapers and using experiments to test its effects. This study analyzed 5,006 articles from leading American newspapers covering three epidemics: H1N1, Ebola, and Zika. Using a mixed method of automated and manual content analysis, it identified three distinct themes used to cover the diseases; pandemic, scientific, and social. Next, manual content analysis was conducted to assess the prevalence of information components theorized by CERC to increase certainty, efficacy and trust- information about medical/health risks, social/economic disruptions, and potential individual and organizational responses to ameliorate risks and reduce harm. Analysis of the themes based on CERC principles demonstrated substantial discrepancies between what CDC aims to communicate during epidemics and what the media actually disseminated to the public. An experiment (n = 321) found that exposure to articles representing the themes affected perceptions of certainty, efficacy, and trust, that in turn were associated with intentions to comply with CDC. The experiment also demonstrated the ability of coverage that follows CERC principles more closely to reduce harmful perceptions that were associated with behavioral intentions in target audiences. Implications for public health organizations and communicators are discussed, including ways to improve cooperation with journalists and the use of alternative direct-channels for filling gaps in news media coverage

    Virginia Journal of Public Health Spring 2017 Full Issue

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    Mask making on social media: Women’s mask making practices and advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic

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    Background: COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus SARS-COV-2, can create serious respiratory problems, or even death, for those affected. Individuals who share messages about its risks and related risk reduction behaviors have the potential to make a broader health impact. Early in the pandemic, some individuals made homemade masks to address the limited supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and posted about their efforts on social media. Aim: To understand the grassroots application of the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) theoretical model concerning effective messages in early phases of a crisis. Methods: Using both individual interviews and observations, researchers conducted a study of 15 Appalachian women making masks during the Covid-19 pandemic and analyzed 9 of their social media accounts. Results: Through interviews and observations, the researchers gained understanding as to how mask makers used social media to create and distribute masks and engage their communities. Social media messages often contained calls to action, personal connections to the issue, and supported the mask makers’ efforts to reach a broader network of individuals. Discussion: An evaluation of the grassroots efforts of mask makers extends the CERC framework to the individual level. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the role of grassroots health advocacy, and the role of user-generated social media messaging in pandemic risk reduction

    Emerg Infect Dis

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    Emerging Infectious Diseases is providing access to these abstracts on behalf of the ICEID 2022 program committee (http://www.iceid.org), which performed peer review. ICEID is organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Task Force for Global Health, Inc.Emerging Infectious Diseases has not edited or proofread these materials and is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions. All information is subject to change. Comments and corrections should be brought to the attention of the authors.Suggested citation: Authors. Title [abstract]. International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases 2022 poster and oral presentation abstracts. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Sep [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/EID/pdfs/ICEID2022.pdf2022PMC94238981187

    Investigating Heat Risk Messaging Using Social Media Studies and a Survey Experiment

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    Extreme heat causes hundreds of deaths each year in the United States even though cost-effective protective measures are available. Heat warning messages sent by government agencies have the potential to reduce the negative impacts by motivating people to take protective actions. To help reach the potential, this dissertation examined the content of warning messages and public responses to warning messages in the US. This research analyzed three kinds of data: 1) heat warning messages posted on Twitter, 2) public comments on heat warning messages posted on Facebook, and 3) experimental results collected using an online survey. Results show that, for heat warning messages posted on Twitter, most messages mentioned temperatures and/or Heat Index. Half of messages mentioned heat-safety tips. Less than one-third of messages mentioned heat-health impacts and people’s vulnerability (who is at risk and/or which behavior is at risk). For these four types of mentions, heat warning messages that mentioned more types were retweeted more frequently. In addition, compared to listing specific vulnerable subgroups such as older adults, a statement that “anyone can be at risk” appears to be more effective in making heat warning messages personally relevant to the public. The research also shows that Facebook comments on heat warning messages can suggest people’s needs for risk messaging. The findings can inform researchers and practitioners of how to better communicate risks in the context of extreme heat and other natural hazards

    Understanding public emergency preparedness before and during the coronavirus outbreak: implications for effective public health and risk communication.

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    The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic loss of human lives globally and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, the world of work, and our food systems. The social and economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating, putting several millions of people at risk of falling into extreme poverty, with over 500 million people being undernourished. It is evident from the data on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations that the United States is the worse hit country, which can be attributed to the lack of preparedness at the individual, environmental, and government levels. This study applied the Social Cognitive Theory to understand the factors that influenced the COVID-19 preparedness among United States residents. It tested the mediation effects of the primary constructs of the SCT (i.e., personal cognitive, environmental, and behavioral factors) on the effects of media activities and government policies/laws/mandates on COVID-19 preparedness among United States residents. A non-experimental cross-sectional quantitative research survey design was used to obtain data from 3383 study participants. A hierarchical regression model and a parallel multiple mediation analysis were conducted in SPSS to analyze study data. The study findings suggest that the primary constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory explained approximately 49% of the variance in COVID-19 preparedness among United States residents. Additional findings of the study confirmed that all three primary constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory (i.e., personal cognitive, environmental, and behavioral factors) significantly and positively mediated (influenced) the association between media activities and COVID-19 preparedness as well as laws/policies/mandates on COVID-19 and COVID-19 preparedness among United States residents. The study provides data to assist public health practitioners in designing interventions to ensure COVID-19 preparedness. In addition, it provides guidance for policymakers to develop and execute effective policies & laws to mitigate the severe impacts of future pandemics and other public health emergencie

    Perceived Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Emergency Preparedness

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    National healthcare as executed through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was introduced in 2010, but was discussed for several decades prior to its enactment. Section 5210 of the ACA established funding for a Regular and Ready Reserve Corps (RRRC) to provide support to local healthcare entities with emergency preparedness. It is unknown what impact Section 5210 of the ACA has had on local emergency preparedness, as well as what obstacles are encountered with implementing this piece of legislation at the local level. The purpose of this case study was to understand the obstacles encountered at a local level by healthcare entities by combining rational choice theory and complex adaptive systems through Ostrom\u27s institutional analysis and development theory. Data for this case study were obtained through interviews with 6 hospital emergency coordinators of hospitals in the Tennessee Highland Rim Region. These data were coded and analyzed following Moustakas\u27 modified Van Kaam procedure. Findings from this study concluded that participants perceived that Section 5210 of the ACA did not impact hospital operations at the local level. However, other obstacles including employee turnover, communication, and process standardization and education are perceived to exist in terms of planning and emergency preparedness. The results of this study may impact social change by enhancing state and local policy makers\u27 ability to identify and create a future roadmap for health care policy implementation at local and regional levels
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