It is both good and bad that I am seeing “prevention” being talked about all over mainstream media. The recently released U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on mammograms (to delay having the screen until women are 50, rather than beginning evaluations at 40 and no longer urging women to perform monthly breast self-exams at home) is creating an uproar of medical and non-medical constituents fighting for the progress that breast cancer has made for prevention.  As a Health Educator by trade, I see this as a chance to simply save money and not improve and advocate for women’s health. 

The most recent edition of APHA’s The Nation’s Health also highlights an article about the value of prevention and questioning if community based prevention programs offer a high enough return on investment.  Rob Gould, PhD, President of Partnership for Prevention stated, “We should no be apologizing for helping people live longer and healthier lives, especially when we can deliver that life at the right cost.” 

I stand with those that are outraged. We can’t continue to move three steps forward, just to take two steps back.  All I am saying, is give prevention a chance.

Mammograms: Is It About Money?

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For a very long time, only those in fire fighter, medical or police uniforms were viewed as first responders for emergency or disaster situations – and the organizational chart at a public health department didn’t contain a branch of emergency planning/response personnel. Just as behaviors change, so did the visible landscape of first response. 

Public health has always served as the “silent protector” of a community’s health (broadly defined) but since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, public health has gained a more visible and essential presence amongst its local partners. What about the average local resident? Do they really understand the role of public health during times of emergency?

As national health threats such as terrorism and communicable diseases like H1N1 force all of us to pay closer attention to authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we might have a better idea about public health and emergency preparedness, but does it translate to us locally? It should.

In 2006, Worldways Social Marketing worked with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to develop an identity for local public health to raise awareness about these local heroes.  Maybe someday Fisher Price Little People will add a Public Health Professional Polly Kracker to their world so children will grow up putting her next to Firefighter Dale Matian and Police Captain Shep Barker.

National Identity for Local Public Health

Tagged as: 9/11, community, Emergency planning, Emergency Response Personnel, H1N1

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When I first saw the article about the World’s Happiest Places, I was certain that I was going to be able to map a result back to the World’s Healthiest Places. Not so easy – but there was some crossover. The criteria that Forbes uses to define happiness and health are somewhat subjective, but none the less, it is a GREAT topic for consideration when looking at potential motivators and influences on health. What could this mean for social marketers?

When looking at the “happiest” nations, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Belgium were listed in the top ten. Forbes focused on “life satisfaction” factors that contributed to happiness such as economic health, work-life balance and unemployment rates but also included questions about pride, respect and learning.

Now, how does that compare to the “healthiest” nations? Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Denmark, Canada, Austria, and the Netherlands ranked at the top. Measures included national health care systems, air pollution, infant mortality rates, safe drinking water/sanitation, density of physicians, life expectancies and prevalence of tuberculosis. (Note that this is not self reported data like the other study and as a public health professional, this criterion for health seems a bit archaic.)

But, if we cross compare, it looks like its time to travel to Denmark, Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands to get some answers. More to come as I dive a little more into the social marketing efforts that come from some of these healthy places.

Tagged as: healthy people, Healthy Places, influences, motivators, social marketing

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The debate continues. Do social marketing campaigns using fear-based messaging have a positive or negative impact on behavior? I was recently struck by a message supported by the Colorado Meth Project that brought this question up for me once again.

There are solid arguments for both sides and I respect each of them … but done right, with a messaging and tactical strategy that addresses emotion, self-efficacy and susceptibility … I take the side of these compelling campaigns.

The Meth Project reports significant results on measurable societal outcomes in the originating state of Montana. It is a “proven, research-based campaign was developed by experts from across the nation. Millions of dollars have been invested in market research, message development, survey methodologies, testing, and advertising production.”

This campaign has been top of mind for me since I have seen its messages and I am glad that Colorado has joined five other states in their commitment and investment in a project that can have a dramatic impact on our nation’s health.

Tagged as: Colorado Meth Project, messaging, social marketing campain

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