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COVID-19 is more than a health crisis; it is also an information and socio-economic crisis. The pandemic and the associated response are prompting the deepest global recession in nearly a century and pushing an estimated 70–100 million more people into extreme poverty.
—COVID-19 global risk communication and community engagement strategy
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Hannah says, “The first line of that report we read was intense. All the deaths from COVID are bad enough, and I’ve never really thought about the rest of it.”
Tenzin starts to reply in the teleconference, but Hannah and Darius stop her. In unison they say, “You’re muted.”
Tenzin turns on her mic. “I said, ‘Me too.’ Reading that report makes me want to help so badly, but I don’t know how since they changed our public health clinical so that it's not in person.”
Darius says, “The report the preceptor assigned was risk communication and community engagement strategy. She must be thinking we can do something like that online. By the way, do you think we have the correct link? The preceptor is almost 10 minutes late.”
Gail, the public health nurse manager, suddenly appears on their screens. “So sorry I’m late! New hire training ran long. The work here at the county health department has been tough over the past year. We have had 50% turnover in our nursing staff. We appreciate you coming in to help during your clinical.”
Hannah says, “We are glad we can help! Since the department stopped home visits during this new wave, we were afraid the clinical would get canceled.”
Gail replies, “We thought about that, but I have an idea I want to pilot with your group. We need help managing the infodemic by improving our risk communication and community engagement. I think you three could help make a difference.”
Tenzin asks, “What exactly do you mean by infodemic?”
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STUDENT NOTEBOOK Competency #7 Effectively Communicates With Individuals, Families, Communities, and Systems
Interacts respectfully, sensitively, and effectively with everyone
Utilizes sound teaching and learning strategies that tailor communication to target individual, family, community, organizational, or system audiences
Selects appropriate communication methods to reach target audience(s)
Presents accurate demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information
Source: Henry Street Consortium, 2022
USEFUL DEFINITIONS Cultural Humility: A process of openness, self-awareness, being egoless, and incorporating self-reflection and critique after willingly interacting with diverse individuals (Foronda et al., 2016, p. 213).
Health Communication: The science and art of using communication to advance the health and well-being of people and populations (Society for Health Communication [SHC], 2017).
Health Literacy: Has two dimensions (US Department of Health and Human Services [US DHHS], 2021, para. 2):
Organizational health literacy: The degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others
Personal health literacy: The degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and ...