Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

12-2025

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Epidemiology

First Committee Member

Leslie Scofield

Second Committee Member

Rachel Lookadoo

Third Committee Member

Molly Pofahl

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has experienced a proliferation of mis- and disinformation, an increasing politicization of health and science, and growing distrust in government, science, and institutions. While these trends present challenges for normal public health communications, during a public health emergency, such as an infectious disease outbreak, these challenges are even more acute. To address challenges at the local level, health departments need plans, products, and tools that adapt health crisis communications to the current media environment and meet community members where they are across the trust continuum. To develop an infectious disease incident communication plan, this project examines previous public health communication by the East Central District Health Department in Nebraska, analyzes target audiences and key partners, and applies existing communication and health behavior theory. The resulting products are a communication plan and a communication workbook. To demonstrate the use of these tools, a notional Tuberculosis outbreak in the East Central District Health Department service area was used. Strategies for addressing mis- and disinformation, distrust of institutions, and politicization of health topics are incorporated in the communication plan. The communication workbook centralizes and organizes information related to incident action planning, so public health emergency responders can best manage crisis communications during an incident. While entities at every level will be essential in addressing the multifaceted challenges of today’s communication environment, with plans, products, and tools, local public health departments will be better postured to respond during the next incident.

Additional Files
Appendix E_Communication Plan Workbook_Tuberculosis.xlsx (24 kB)
Incident communication tool for a notional TB outbreak.
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