Trusted Messengers: Based upon data from NCDP’s annual poll of U.S. preparedness, over 80% of Americans consistently regard the CDC as the most trusted source of information in a public health emergency..
Unanticipated Consequences: A 2007 series of focus groups among six ethnic communities in New York City found that both the content and distribution channels for public health messaging during an emergency may require significant tailoring for different communities. For example, members of a Jamaican community expressed a strong preference for visual, graphic information in the form of signs and flyers, whereas residents of a Chinese neighborhood valued formal messages from government officials. Several communities highly valued messages delivered personally by the mayor, while the African American and South Indian community groups wanted medical professionals to reinforce politicians’ messages. All six ethnic groups named different radio and TV stations as the most credible sources of information.
Individual Preparedness: There are many steps individuals can take to protect themselves and their families in the event of a disaster, including a pandemic. Some of the actions listed at the attached link apply to H1N1 and other infectious disease outbreaks, while others are more applicable to natural hazards such as earthquakes or hurricanes. Still other recommendations apply to all kinds of disasters.
