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Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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White Paper/Brief
This article explores the challenges of communicating public health guidance during a pandemic, focusing on the example of mask recommendations in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. It underscores the ethical dilemmas faced by public health officials in balancing transparency with evolving scientific knowledge and resource shortages. Initially, there was hesitation in recommending masks for the general public due to concerns about mask shortages, leading to mixed messaging. As evidence supporting mask effectiveness grew, guidance shifted to advocating universal mask use, contributing to public confusion and mistrust. The article underscores two key ethical principles: the precautionary principle, advocating for protective action in uncertain situations, and harm reduction, emphasizing minimizing harm when complete risk elimination is unfeasible. It also highlights the importance of transparent communication but acknowledges that excessive transparency can sometimes cause confusion and mistrust. To enhance public health communication during uncertainty and resource scarcity, the article recommends utilizing trusted messengers, structuring uncertainty, acknowledging the role of values in recommendations, and recognizing emotional responses to risk information.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Toolkit
This worksheet offers a user guide to developing and disseminating messages about public health’s importance and successes. It is a short resource developed by the Illinois Strategic Communication Leadership Project, intended to help users organize thinking and identify themes. It offers a few examples of overarching messages concerning the importance of public health as a field.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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White Paper/Brief
The 2019 call for papers on “Taboos in Health Communication: Stigma, Silence, and Voice” coincided with the emergence of COVID-19, which drastically transformed the world. This pandemic, with over 235 million cases and nearly 5 million deaths by October 2021, not only had severe health consequences but also led to economic and social crises, including increased domestic violence and mental health issues. It pushed health communication and public relations to the forefront of crisis management, overshadowing other health concerns. This shift highlighted the importance of addressing taboos, stigmas, and silences, particularly in areas like mental and reproductive health, maternal health, and vaccination efforts. The special issue explores how public relations and health communication influence public discourse and societal norms, challenging established assumptions and power dynamics in a COVID-19-dominated world. It acknowledges the historically limited connection between public health and public relations and calls for addressing cultural taboos and stigmas. The issue advocates for applying critical theory in health communication and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to address these challenges, with the ultimate goal of integrating public relations insights into broader socio-cultural, political, and economic discussions in the post-pandemic era.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Toolkit
The Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response offers guidance on utilizing funding sources like the CARES Act to address homelessness during the pandemic. It aims to conduct emergency measures while planning for recovery. The framework emphasizes racial justice and requires coordination among partners and systems. It is regularly updated and provides tools and resources. For individuals experiencing homelessness, local 2-1-1 hotlines can provide assistance.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Toolkit
A toolkit by the City of Boston on safely creating community fridges in the city. Includes considerations such as fridge locations, permits, food safety, and other logistics to be aware of. The toolkit also offers additional food access resources that may benefit visitors to community fridges.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations, White Paper/Brief
Community fridges were popularized in the US during the Covid-19 pandemic: community fridge database Freedge showed 12 US fridges in March 2020, and 160 by February 2021. These fridges are open 24/7 and anyone can access them, freely taking or leaving fresh food. Fridges are tailored to the needs of the neighborhood, and operate either more informally among community members, or with 501(c)(3) status and donation partnerships with local grocery stores or organizations. The fridges have been anecdotally successful in increasing food access while complying with Covid safety protocols.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Toolkit
Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives is designed to support older adults thorough depression education and skill building to increase self sufficiency and active living. The program is structured over 6-8 weeks of sessions and is designed to be administered by staff who have no previous counseling or mental health education. The program originally started in the 1990’s in Washington state and has since been implemented with a wide range of minority and hard-to-reach populations.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
White Paper/Brief
This article includes the key themes and recommendations from a panel discussion of public health practitioners and researchers on the role of complementary and integrative health (CHI) providers, including chiropractors and naturopathic doctors. Throughout the pandemic, public health and medical practitioners have been overwhelmed, whereas CHI providers experienced reductions in their clinical practices. This article examines the barriers to involving CHI practitioners in COVID-19 response and provides recommendations and solutions for removing these barriers.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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White Paper/Brief
This article focuses on promoting healthy behavior changes among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors that influence risk taking, such as a focus on the immediate context and social norms, are described and followed by strategies that can promote behavior changes. Barriers and facilitators to specific factors are also discussed with emphasis on creating tailored approaches based on the specific factors affecting the individual youth.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Toolkit
This toolkit was created by Willow House to provide information and tools to school staff as they support students going through the grieving process during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document includes information on common grief reactions, level of understanding of death and loss by age group, and ways to encourage and guide students through self-care and coping practices.