Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Module 2:Module 2:
IHR Risk communications Capacity:IHR Risk communications Capacity:
Public Communication CoordinationPublic Communication Coordination
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Emergency Communication DemandEmergency Communication Demand
Emergencies have unique characteristics, including:– high impact– extreme time pressure – involvement of multiple organizations
Risk communication for emergencies must adapt to specific challenges
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Emergency Communication Demand*Emergency Communication Demand*
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Med
ia
Public b
rief
Mat
eria
l
Transl
atio
n
Partn
ers
Norm
Emergency
* Survey of communication and medical staff: SARS, Vietnam, 2003; AI (human), Thailand, 2004; Reintroduction of wild polio virus, Indonesia, 2005; AI, Romania, 2006; AI (human) Azerbaijan, 2006; AI (human) Turkey, 2006; Ebola, DRC, 2007; Dengue, Uruguay, 2007; Vaccine Derived Polio Virus, Nigeria, 2007
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Emergency Communication DemandEmergency Communication Demand
• Analysis further suggests it is not only workload that increases
• Emergency communication typically has unique characteristics:– Shift from national to international interest– Non-health media involved– Economic consequences– Immediate involvement of senior political actors
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Case Study: Risk ManagementCase Study: Risk ManagementPolio: Nigeria 2003Polio: Nigeria 2003
Religious and political leaders in Northern regions:
Polio vaccine = infertility/HIV
Result: Program suspended• 17: countries infected• 500M USD: program cost• 1000+: children paralyzed
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Case Study: Risk ManagementCase Study: Risk ManagementPolio: Nigeria 2003Polio: Nigeria 2003
Context:• North/South political tension• Population Control Policy in 1980s
– vaccinations suspected of population control• 1996 Pfizer trial – alleged unethical / illegal• Post 9/11 tension• WHO trained local staff to deliver vaccine
– excluded local leadership
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Case Study: Risk ManagementCase Study: Risk ManagementPolio: Nigeria 2003Polio: Nigeria 2003
• Polio Partnership met with Health Minister – states responsible for immunization
• Government/Partner efforts to reassure failed• Study of information sources:
– 5% from TV/Radio– 21% from religious institution– 57% from the town crier
• Resolution:– dialogue with religious and local political leaders – testing the vaccine in Indonesia
Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO
Pan American HealthOrganization
World HealthOrganization
Public CommunicationPublic Communication
IHR Risk Communication Capacity:
Public Communication Coordination
1. Identification of likely public health emergency partners
2. Adoption of emergency coordination principles
3. Development of communication coordination mechanism