1 Strategy for Communicating Tracking Information TIAG meeting #2 July 25, 2007 Michelle Wong

2Overview Background on CDC requirements What we mean by communication and information CEHTP approach and lessons learned Communication and dissemination process Opportunities for partnerships

3 CDC deliverables Communication strategy due Sept 1, 2007 Will be a “living document” that will evolve as program progresses CDC wanted grantees to get a head start on planning Will not be “graded”- instead they will review and offer suggestions Strategy should follow outline provided by CDC guidelines

4 Overview of CDC guidelines Plan must address: –Infrastructure –Identifying issues and audiences –Developing, reviewing, and testing messages/materials –Dissemination –Evaluation

5 What do we mean by… Communication: –providing information in materials that are understandable, accessible, and appropriate for different audiences examples: websites, reports, presentations, factsheets examples: websites, reports, presentations, factsheets –using dissemination methods to make materials available to different audiences in an accessible and appropriate fashion examples: electronic (web, ), hardcopy (mail, door-to-door), active, passive

6 What do we mean by… Information: –Info about tracking e.g. program activities on generating new tools –Info generated by the tracking system e.g. preterm birth maps, tables, and charts –Info to support tracking data e.g. what is preterm birth, what does statistical significance mean

7 Communication is an essential part of Tracking. Information cannot be used if it is not understandable or accessible.

8 Our approach to developing the communication strategy Use as an opportunity to –Begin dialogue and planning –Identify opportunities for and foster partnerships –Identify opportunities to leverage resources –Identify and plan for possible challenges Use input from planning phase and pilot projects

9 Lessons learned (take home messages from the planning phase) Information should be –Useful –Accessible –Understandable for all stakeholder groups, particularly impacted communities for all stakeholder groups, particularly impacted communities There are specific and appropriate roles and responsibilities for –CEHTP –Intermediaries (i.e. those who pass on tracking info to others) –End users

10 Roles and responsibilities (adapted from Alameda County Pilot Project) End users Determine if info is useful, understandable, accessible Decide if, when, and how to use the info Intermediaries Provide understandable and accessible info to targeted groups Provide assistance with using information for action CEHTP (and partners) Provide scientifically accurate data Explain and interpret data in lay language Let people know where to find the info

11 Communication Flowchart Utilize primary data Analyze data Add scientific interpretation to results (messages) Provide info on stats & epi Provide info on CEHTP activities Assemble info on the hazard or health outcome Produce results (maps, tables, charts) Create communication product (material) Disseminate information Use information for public health action Incorporate info into analyses or other materials Perform needs assessments and evaluations (ongoing)

12 Ways to contribute to the communication process Contribute primary data Contribute to CEHTP analytic and interpretation processes Contribute subject-specific knowledge Disseminate tracking materials Incorporate data generated by CEHTP into further analysis Incorporate info into outreach or educational materials Use info for advocacy, policy, or action

13Partnerships Our common goal is to make existing data available and useful for informing public health actions and improving public health To fulfill this, we need: –Effective communication, which requires attention and ability at each step of the process –Partnerships, which leverage abilities and resources

14Partnerships CEHTP has: –tools and services –coordination between multiple datasets –subject matter generalists but experts in tracking –value-added data on health and the environment –expertise in IT/GIS, epidemiology, health education

15Partnerships Partners have: –subject-specific and other expertise –mandate for doing interventions, education, or advocacy –knowledge of and relationships with target audiences –existing resources (e.g. websites, stakeholder engagement processes, reports) –staff (e.g. researchers, health educators, outreach coordinators, organizers) –access to environmental health data resources

16 It would help us to know… How might you benefit from the communication process? How might you contribute to the communication process? What would facilitate your ability to benefit from or contribute to the communication process?

17 Small Group Activity

18 Affinity Groups Group 1 Holly Brown-Williams Holly Brown-Williams Margaret Gordon Margaret Gordon Linda Kite Linda Kite Dee Lewis Dee Lewis Pablo Rodríguez Pablo Rodríguez Group 3 Gary Feldman Gary Feldman Susan Kegley Susan Kegley Rick Kreutzer Rick Kreutzer Dean Peterson Dean Peterson Group 5 Paul English Paul English Makinde Falade Makinde Falade Liang Guo Liang Guo Gala King Gala King Eddie Oh Eddie Oh Eric Roberts Eric Roberts Craig Wolff Craig Wolff Michelle Wong Michelle Wong Group 2 Gary Arstein-Kerslake Gary Arstein-Kerslake Bob Schlag Bob Schlag Kurt Snipes Kurt Snipes Group 4 Martha Harnley Martha Harnley Michael Lipsett Michael Lipsett Dan Smith Dan Smith

19 Discussion Questions How might you benefit from the communication process? How might you contribute to the communication process? What would facilitate your ability to benefit from or contribute to the communication process?