Fundamentals of Policy and Communications to Address Public Health Problems

Background: For five years, NCSD's Policy Academy has provided health department members with the knowledge and skills to safely engage in STD and HIV-related state policy issues. As part of the training, the Policy Academy has also shown participants how to use effective communications and messaging techniques to educate policymakers and communities on public health issues. Participants have found that when paired together, fundamental policy and communications lessons have helped achieve and advance policy-related goals. 

Methods: Through the NCSD Policy Academy, health department members have learned to identify public health problems, determine policy solutions, and use effective communication to educate others on public health issues.  Through the Policy Academy, NCSD has connected health departments across the country to a variety of policy and communications resources that have developed skills, built a network of peer support, and allowed for professional development. 

Results: NCSD Policy Academy participants have used their policy and communications skills to pursue a variety of STD-related policy changes in their state. Several examples include: Expedited Partner Therapy, Third Trimester Syphilis Testing, and STD billing.  In these states, health department members have practiced using proven communication tactics and set up strategic action plans to work with partners to achieve policy goals. 

Conclusions: This session will provide an overview of engaging in policy work as a public employee and discuss communications and messaging techniques, emphasizing the use of data.