“Did You Hear the Story about the Health Department That…” Healthy Stories, Miami – Dade County Health Department

Background: Healthy Stories is an integral part of the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s innovative strategy to promote all aspects of public health through story telling. Storytelling has thought provoking implications for advocacy. Good stories ignite action. An ancient art of conveying events in words images and sounds, stories have probably been shared in every culture and in every land as a means of entertainment, education, preservation of culture and to instill knowledge and moral values.

Objectives: To promote and protect the health of people through educational stories about prevention, preparedness and wellness. (Stories about STDs/HIV and sexual health will be attached to the poster and handouts will include resources and websites)

Methods: Healthy Stories are a rare blend of science and the arts; a spirited mixture of public health and literature written by persons involved with public health. Stories cover a wide range of topics including: STD/HIV prevention, preparedness, environmental health and wellness. Stories are available on several websites and 3 book editions.

Results: Some results from Healthy Stories include: 2008 award for organizational best practices by the National Association of County and City Health Officials.;  Translated in several languages and viewed internationally.; Editors attend, present and sell copies of their books at conferences such as Florida Public Health Association, NAACP, “Miami Book Fair International,” Community business meetings, and Universities.  

Conclusions: This growing collection of stories provides accounts of what people in public health actually do and captivate, motivate, educate and entertain. 

Implications for Programs, Policy, and/or Research: Too often descriptions of public health are so abstract or formal that those who are unfamiliar with the field are left puzzled by what it is. These stories make the field more understandable to the reader unfamiliar with it and perhaps lead to healthier lifestyles and for some an interest in working in public health.