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Welcome to the summer edition of the Public Health Improvement Partnership Communication Committee’s e-newsletter. After a busy spring, the committee has a lot to report. Read on for new tips, information and updates about effective public health communication. Please forward this newsletter to others in your organization who participate in communication activities.
For more information on the campaign or to download new tools, visit the PHIP Communications Campaign web site at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/phip/communications/tools/.
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The PHIP sponsored a series of five workshops around the state this spring entitled, “Communicating Effectively About Public Health.” Over 100 public health workers attended the trainings and received information about new tools for the communication campaign and hands-on experience with infusion strategies for utilizing campaign messaging and tools in their agencies.
Many creative ideas came out of the trainings and are helping to inform the communications committee’s campaign planning for the next biennium.
Here are a few examples of no or low-cost ideas that came from training attendees:
• List the agency under “public health” in the phone book in addition to the standard alphabetical listing
• Insert the public health graphic identity in agency web pages
• Answer the agency’s main phone line using “public health,” e.g. “Skagit County Public Health”
If you were unable to attend the training, visit the PHIP website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/phip/communications/tools/ to learn about new tools including a photo library, new graphic versions of the identity and new templates for PowerPoint presentations, advertisements, brochures and posters.
In April, 2005, public health agencies across Washington joined together to participate in National Public Health Week. The event provided an opportunity for the entire public health community to communicate about what public health is, how residents benefit from it and highlight local issues of importance.
More than ten communities sponsored events around the state, using the national event as an opportunity to highlight local public health agencies and activities. Media coverage of the week included stories in the following areas:
• Snohomish County: Contributed articles from members of the health district about the importance of public health in the Stanwood Camano News and the Edmonds Beacon.
• Ferry County: Contributed article about services provided by Northeast Tri-County Health District in the Republic News Miner.
• Seattle/King County: A story on KOMO-ABC’s 5 p.m. news about the government employee walking event.
• Spokane County: KGA/KFAN promoted the Spokane Regional Health District community event in the park.
• Olympia: Radio interview with communications representative from DOH on KGY Radio News.
• Whitman County: Radio interview with a communications representative from DOH on Palouse Country Radio.
New versions of the graphic identity are now available for download on the website. Files include a “Washington” version and a “Community” version, and are available in all black, the traditional identity blue, and all white. File formats including .eps, .jpeg. and .gif will help fill any communication need. Click here to download all versions of the graphic identity.
Tip: when placing the graphic identity over a colored background, use the .eps file. Even though you may not be able to open the file and see the graphic, once you place it into your document (for example in Word) it will show up with a clear background.
Washington Department of Health: The public health graphic identity and standard language have been used in press releases, radio and television advertisements and on printed materials for communication campaigns developed by many different programs throughout DOH including: Abstinence Education, Stroke Awareness, Immunization, CHILD Profile, Flu, West Nile and Diabetes Education.
Chelan-Douglas Health District: The Chelan-Douglas Health District developed signage for their building in East Wenatchee that carry the public health identity language as well as a reader board that can be customized with timely public health messages, such as immunization and sunscreen reminders.
Spokane Regional Health District: While many LHJs have started using the public health identity messaging in the boilerplate information at the end of their press releases, the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) has taken the approach one step further. SRHD often uses public health identity messaging in quotes within the press release. When used by news media, these quotes share the public health messaging with the public in a subtle and effective way.
Wondering how to help spread the use of the communication tools within your agency? Here are a few easy steps to make using the campaign materials easier for staff!
• Download all the available templates and versions of the graphic identity and place them on your agency’s server where they can easily and quickly be accessed by all members of the staff for their communications materials.
• Use the “Public Health – Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Washington/Community” in voice mail and on-hold messages throughout the organization.
• Create a shortcut to the campaign website on your desktop. Visit the website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/phip/communications/tools/ and right click in white space anywhere on the site. When you right click, choose the option to “Create Shortcut” and a box will pop up that says “A shortcut to the current page will be placed on your desktop.” When you click “OK” a shortcut directly to the campaign web page will be placed on your desktop.
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