Description
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for health professionals to communicate more clearly about what public health is and why it matters. Public health in the United States has been underfunded, undervalued, and misunderstood largely because of the unclear and inconsistent way health leaders talk about it. Talking Health is intended to help public health and allied professionals communicate about public health more effectively - whether they need to reach policymakers, community partners, the media, or the public. Many people who are trained in medicine or public health have never had to "sell" ideas or policies to uninformed or skeptical partners, but the insights, tools, and resources included in this book can provide a first step toward better communications and stronger partnerships. This book is based on original research and insights by social scientists and seasoned communications professionals at the FrameWorks Institute and Hattaway Communications. It provides practical tools such as tested messaging and effective metaphors to help professionals avoid messages that backfire, answer challenging questions, reframe public health assumptions, and draw on the power of anecdotes while sharing important data. Drawing together leading experts across media and public health, Talking Health is a practical and powerful starting point for those ready to change how public health is viewed and valued in our nation.
About the Author
Mark R. Miller, Vice President of Communications at the de Beaumont Foundation, leads strategic communications to support the foundation's mission, initiatives, and partners, applying his experience in philanthropy, journalism, health care, and government to improve the health of communities and people. In 2018, he won the ACE Award from PR Daily and Ragan Communications as the year's top nonprofit communications professional. Throughout his career, Mark has advanced political, nonprofit, and corporate missions in leadership positions at the Case Foundation, the White House, Children's National Hospital, the National Governors Association, and AmeriCorps. He was also a senior vice president at Powell Tate, the Washington office of global PR agency Weber Shandwick. He combines traditional communications skills with an expertise in digital strategies to create solutions that deliver measurable results and spark social change. His writing has appeared in numerous blogs, websites, and publications, and for several years he was the reggae reporter for The Washington Post. He earned his BA in English and journalism from James Madison University. Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, is an epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation. Prior to joining de Beaumont, Brian worked for a decade as an applied epidemiologist and held leadership positions in several state and local governmental public health agencies. Applying what he learned in his public health practice, Brian has led the foundation to the forefront of issues such as integrating primary care and public health, assessing the governmental public health workforce, and prioritizing partnerships and policies to solve the nation's most complex health challenges. He is a sought-after resource on public health issues across television, radio, and print media and is an accomplished public health researcher with nearly ninety peer-reviewed scientific publications that have Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Philanthropy Fellowship at the Foundation. Rachel received her MPH in Environmental Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where she completed her Certificate in Toxicology. Julia Haskins is a communications associate at the de Beaumont Foundation where she develops and implements a wide range of editorial strategies to extend the Foundation's reach, influence, and impact. Julia previously was a staff writer at the Association of American Medical Colleges, where she wrote about trends and research in academic medicine for the association's digital news publication, AAMCNews. She also worked as a reporter for The Nation's Health, the official newspaper of the American Public Health Association, covering public health and member news. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. Grace A. Castillo, MPH, is a public health practitioner and health writer. She is particularly interested in public health infrastructure, science communication, and non-communicable diseases. As a program associate at the de Beaumont Foundation, she focused on project management for book publications. She has also volunteered with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. Previously, she worked for the Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) as a student research intern. Grace graduated from the Yale School of Public Health's Chronic Disease Epidemiology Department with a Certificate in Regulatory Affairs. While completing her Master of Public Health, Grace interned with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, where she worked with the Research Infrastructure team. Grace earned her BA in English from Yale University.
Reviews
In public health, when we do our best work, nothing happens. However, it's difficult to tell the story about a health risk avoided or mitigated, and because of that, many people don't value public health's work to protect and improve their heath. The authors of Talking Health have provided proven strategies that, when used as intended, will help public health practitioners tell their story more effectively. It's a must-read for anyone who needs to communicate public health's value to both individuals and communities to get results. * Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association *
The global COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, once again, that health communication is at the core of effective public health. When health communication is done right, science has impact and lives are saved. When done wrong, the opposite occurs. This practical book describes the right way to do health communication - through audience research, strategic messaging and framing, and persuasive storytelling - to reach target audiences with key messages that promote and protect their health. * Jay M. Bernhardt, PhD, MPH, Dean, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin, and former Director, National Center for Health Marketing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention *
Talking Health should be required reading for all public health professionals and health communicators. The way public health data are communicated is just as important as the science behind the message. This book gives practical methods and tools for how to communicate effectively. * Judy Monroe, MD, President and CEO, CDC Foundation *
This timely, practical, and relevant book includes essential resources to communicate about the value of public health and to promote cross-sectoral partnerships. It's a critical tool not only for public health professionals but also for community partners and leaders from other sectors to develop a shared understanding of 'public health,' see the connection with their work, and communicate about it. * Renata Schiavo, PhD, MA, CCL, Senior Lecturer, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Communication in Healthcare: Strategies, Media, and Engagement in Global Health; Founder and Board President, Health Equity Initiative; and Principal, Strategies for Equity and Communication Impact *
The importance of this book and the skills and tools it offers would be difficult to overestimate especially now during this time of polarization and the consequent questioning of the importance of, need for, and authenticity of public health policies and practices. It is a book that should be readily available to all public health professionals who anticipate communicating about public health in either formal or informal settings. * Anna A Helm, BS, MPH, Multnomah County, Doody's *
Book Information
ISBN 9780197528464
Author Mark Miller
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 218g
Dimensions(mm) 139mm * 210mm * 11mm
About the Author
Mark R. Miller, Vice President of Communications at the de Beaumont Foundation, leads strategic communications to support the foundation's mission, initiatives, and partners, applying his experience in philanthropy, journalism, health care, and government to improve the health of communities and people. In 2018, he won the ACE Award from PR Daily and Ragan Communications as the year's top nonprofit communications professional. Throughout his career, Mark has advanced political, nonprofit, and corporate missions in leadership positions at the Case Foundation, the White House, Children's National Hospital, the National Governors Association, and AmeriCorps. He was also a senior vice president at Powell Tate, the Washington office of global PR agency Weber Shandwick. He combines traditional communications skills with an expertise in digital strategies to create solutions that deliver measurable results and spark social change. His writing has appeared in numerous blogs, websites, and publications, and for several years he was the reggae reporter for The Washington Post. He earned his BA in English and journalism from James Madison University. Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, is an epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation. Prior to joining de Beaumont, Brian worked for a decade as an applied epidemiologist and held leadership positions in several state and local governmental public health agencies. Applying what he learned in his public health practice, Brian has led the foundation to the forefront of issues such as integrating primary care and public health, assessing the governmental public health workforce, and prioritizing partnerships and policies to solve the nation's most complex health challenges. He is a sought-after resource on public health issues across television, radio, and print media and is an accomplished public health researcher with nearly ninety peer-reviewed scientific publications that have Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Philanthropy Fellowship at the Foundation. Rachel received her MPH in Environmental Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where she completed her Certificate in Toxicology. Julia Haskins is a communications associate at the de Beaumont Foundation where she develops and implements a wide range of editorial strategies to extend the Foundation's reach, influence, and impact. Julia previously was a staff writer at the Association of American Medical Colleges, where she wrote about trends and research in academic medicine for the association's digital news publication, AAMCNews. She also worked as a reporter for The Nation's Health, the official newspaper of the American Public Health Association, covering public health and member news. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. Grace A. Castillo, MPH, is a public health practitioner and health writer. She is particularly interested in public health infrastructure, science communication, and non-communicable diseases. As a program associate at the de Beaumont Foundation, she focused on project management for book publications. She has also volunteered with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. Previously, she worked for the Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) as a student research intern. Grace graduated from the Yale School of Public Health's Chronic Disease Epidemiology Department with a Certificate in Regulatory Affairs. While completing her Master of Public Health, Grace interned with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, where she worked with the Research Infrastructure team. Grace earned her BA in English from Yale University.
Reviews
In public health, when we do our best work, nothing happens. However, it's difficult to tell the story about a health risk avoided or mitigated, and because of that, many people don't value public health's work to protect and improve their heath. The authors of Talking Health have provided proven strategies that, when used as intended, will help public health practitioners tell their story more effectively. It's a must-read for anyone who needs to communicate public health's value to both individuals and communities to get results. * Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association *
The global COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, once again, that health communication is at the core of effective public health. When health communication is done right, science has impact and lives are saved. When done wrong, the opposite occurs. This practical book describes the right way to do health communication - through audience research, strategic messaging and framing, and persuasive storytelling - to reach target audiences with key messages that promote and protect their health. * Jay M. Bernhardt, PhD, MPH, Dean, Moody College of Communication, University of Texas at Austin, and former Director, National Center for Health Marketing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention *
Talking Health should be required reading for all public health professionals and health communicators. The way public health data are communicated is just as important as the science behind the message. This book gives practical methods and tools for how to communicate effectively. * Judy Monroe, MD, President and CEO, CDC Foundation *
This timely, practical, and relevant book includes essential resources to communicate about the value of public health and to promote cross-sectoral partnerships. It's a critical tool not only for public health professionals but also for community partners and leaders from other sectors to develop a shared understanding of 'public health,' see the connection with their work, and communicate about it. * Renata Schiavo, PhD, MA, CCL, Senior Lecturer, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Communication in Healthcare: Strategies, Media, and Engagement in Global Health; Founder and Board President, Health Equity Initiative; and Principal, Strategies for Equity and Communication Impact *
The importance of this book and the skills and tools it offers would be difficult to overestimate especially now during this time of polarization and the consequent questioning of the importance of, need for, and authenticity of public health policies and practices. It is a book that should be readily available to all public health professionals who anticipate communicating about public health in either formal or informal settings. * Anna A Helm, BS, MPH, Multnomah County, Doody's *
Book Information
ISBN 9780197528464
Author Mark Miller
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 218g
Dimensions(mm) 139mm * 210mm * 11mm
