MPH 632 – Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Assessment
This course provided me with the opportunity to work cooperatively with my colleagues to prepare for and respond to the public during a simulated town hall meeting.
Background: This Practice Lab was an exercise in effective risk communication. My team and I knew that the topic of the town hall was Ebola virus, however, we didn’t know the details until we were LIVE in the “classroom.” Once we were LIVE, the professor provided a news clip detailing our scenario. A doctor who recently returned to New York City from a humanitarian trip became ill and was confirmed to be Ebola virus. I played the role of the Director of Emergency Management, and my colleagues held the positions of Mayor, Medical Director of the local hospital, and the Director of Public Health.
Key study questions:
What is our key message?
Methods:
- Message mapping
- Read literature on Ebola virus and how it is transmitted
- Review prior town hall meetings online for Ebola virus or similar topic
- Review NMCPHC Media training video
Findings: This exercise was challenging. Although my team and I reviewed how to stay on key with our message, the pressure from the “public” made it difficult. I found that I wanted to provide more information to be helpful, but refrained, so not to go down a “rabbit hole.”
Recommendation: Prepare, and when you think you have prepared enough, prepare more. A well prepared public health official that can communicate risk effectively is essential to public trust during times of uncertainty.