740: Mpox Advisory, New Communications Planning Guide

SUMMER JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, August 30, 2024 I'm Summer Johnson. Now today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

CHRIS TAYLOR: 

On the 14th of August, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern related to Mpox.

JOHNSON: 

A new strain of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo leads to concern in the global public health community. This is ASTHO's Chris Taylor.

TAYLOR: 

We've seen some spread to surrounding countries of what's called Clade 1b, which is kind of a different variant or strain of Mpox. And why this is concerning is the surrounding countries typically don't see cases of Mpox.

JOHNSON: 

The worry is the variant will spread in Africa and maybe even around the world. Fortunately, Taylor says the current Mpox vaccine should protect people who've been vaccinated.

TAYLOR: 

So it's a series of two vaccines. Once you have the two vaccines, you're good. And what scientists believe is that vaccine will also provide protection against this new variant of Mpox. So that's very good news.

JOHNSON: 

Even so, Taylor says providers and people who may be at risk need to remain alert.

TAYLOR: 

It's important to be vigilant, to make sure that communities who might be at increased risk of Mpox know about this increased risk. Know that they should be vaccinated. Make sure that vaccines are available to them, whether that be through public health programs or private health clinics that are reaching different communities.

JOHNSON: 

Another CDC advisory warns about an increase in cases of human Parvovirus B19 in the U.S. It's a respiratory virus that can cause complications for pregnant people and those with sickle cell disease. Read both advisories by using the links in the show notes.

A new Communications Planning Guide is now available to agencies looking to improve their skills in this area. Kara Kane is the public information officer at the Erie County New York Health Department.

KARA KANE: 

It's brief, it's four pages. It is practical. It's really easy to follow, and it was informed by all of the communications work that our individual work group members have done in very large health departments and very small health department.

JOHNSON: 

The guide was developed by a working group of communicators convened by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, also known as NACCHO. Kane says it reviews the basics and covers best practices.

KANE: 

And for anyone who's new to communications in general, I think there are elements in here that will make people go, "Well of course I need to do that."

JOHNSON: 

Kane wants agencies to keep the guide close by, and hopes they'll use it often.

KANE:

I want people to think about referring back to this, not just letting it sit on a shelf. Really looking at this whenever they have a communication project that crosses their desk, or if they're invited to partner with an outside organization on their communications.

JOHNSON: 

Download your copy of the NACCHO Communications Planning Guide by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also today, ASTHO's Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health Program wins the Power of Association Summit award from American Society of Association Executives.

AVIA MASON: 

We were noted for quickly evolving and meeting the needs of our members, and communicating that we're an ever changing environment.

JOHNSON: 

Avia Mason is vice president of Leadership and Learning at ASTHO.

MASON: 

We know that the DELPH program is significantly impacting the landscape of the future for public health leaders; by equipping diverse professionals who are already committed to public health with the knowledge, confidence, network, and expanded opportunities to advance their careers, so that they can better address local, island, and state concerns.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO has a news release about the award. There's a link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, international overdose day is tomorrow, August 31st. ASTHO maintains a collection of overdose prevention resources. You can review them with the link in the show notes.

Before we go, a reminder also to follow this newscast on your podcast player and connect with ASTHO on social media. We're on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

That'll do it for today. We're off for the Labor Day holiday, but back Tuesday morning with more ATSHO news and information.

I'm Summer Johnson. You’re listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition.

Have a great holiday weekend.