Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator

May 08, 2025

This ASTHO webinar explored strategies for strengthening jurisdictional capacity for public health risk communication. The panel discussion featured insights from the subject matter experts, state health department representatives, and public health leaders listed below. The session showcased best practices for communicating about trending public health threats, innovative resources for applying the latest risk communications research, and an overview of practical tools to help public health communicators effectively address crises and emergencies across diverse jurisdictions.

Speakers

• Amanda Kwong, MPH: Director, Public Health Communications Collaborative
• Kelley Richardson, MPH, CHES: Communications Supervisor, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Ann Rowe: Executive Board President and Member-at-Large, National Public Health Information Coalition
• Kasisomayajula Viswanath, PhD: Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Moderator

• Susan Kansagra, MD, MBA (Alum-NC): Chief Medical Officer, ASTHO