Getting the message across: historical public health campaigns

To mark WHO's 60th anniversary, WHO Press is publishing a book – titled "Getting the message across: public health campaigns (1948–2008)" – about health communications campaigns through posters over the past six decades. In advance of its publication at the end of 2008, some of the posters can be seen on this page.

Media campaigns are one way for WHO and other health organizations to communicate important public health messages to the target audiences. The evolution of public health poster design reflects diversity in local cultures, advertising trends, government regulations and health priorities.

The book will contain a selection of posters from all WHO regions presented in chronological order. The posters originate from many sources, including the archives, regional offices and technical departments of WHO as well as the US National Library of Medicine, the Wellcome Library London, the International Institute of Social History, the Johns Hopkins Media-Materials Clearinghouse and other collections.

CDC

Country/region: China
Period: 1960s
Topic: Vaccination

CDC

Country/region: India
Period: 1970s
Topic: Vaccination

US National Library of Medicine

Country/region: France
Period: 1919
Topic: Tuberculosis

WHO/EURO

Country/region: Russia
Period: 1980s
Topic: Tobacco

WHO/PAHO

Country/region: The Americas
Period: 2005
Topic: Maternal and child health

WHO/EMRO

Country/region: Eastern Mediterranean
Period: 2007
Topic: Avian influenza

World AIDS Campaign

Country/region: Africa
Period: 1990s
Topic: HIV/AIDS