April 11 Webcast: Keeping your Head in a Crisis - Responding to the Communication Challenges Posed by Bioterrorism

ASTHO presented a live webcast called Keeping Your Head In A Crisis: Responding To Communication Challenges Posed By Bioterrorism And Emerging Infectious Diseases, on Thursday, April 11, 2002.The program was presented by Vincent T. Covello, PhD, Director of the Center for Risk Communication and complements ASTHO’s March 6 webcast on risk communication.

Edward Baker, MD, MPH, Director of the CDC’s Public Health Practice Department, said recently, “As we move into the 21st century, communication may well become the central science of public health practice.”

Public information officers and the state health officials they support must be prepared to meet the questions and information requests that will arise in a public health emergency. This webcast and the accompanying workbook, which will be available at www.astho.org for download beginning April 12, will help you identify likely questions and craft appropriate responses.

The webcast begins with a mock scenario in which smallpox is identified in the population. As a reporter asks real questions about the disease and the public health department’s actions, Dr. Covello, who has been working with the CDC to map messages to more than 100 smallpox questions, will help the public information officer develop answers that build trust and credibility.

Please use the links below to view to Web cast:

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