Effective Media Communication during Public Health Emergencies: a WHO field guide

Overview

Until the outbreak of an exotic communicable disease or other dramatic event, the elaborate infrastructures and mechanisms that protect public health on a daily basis often go unnoticed and attract little media interest. In the midst of a public health emergency the situation becomes very different as the demand for information rapidly escalates. Only recently has the true extent to which media communication directly influences the course of events been recognized. Good communication can rally support, calm a nervous public, provide much needed information, encourage cooperative behaviors and help save lives. Poor communication can fan emotions, disrupt economies and undermine confidence.