Risk and Crisis Communication

Natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and acts of terrorism can have profound health consequences. When the unexpected or even the unthinkable occurs, people immediately want to know how to respond, recover, and protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Clear and accurate communication that prompts appropriate action during an emergency is essential to reduce injury, illness, and suffering and to save lives. Informed action can prevent further harm and support recovery.

AIR has supported and collaborated with numerous governmental and public health organizations to prepare for and respond to many crises—from bioterrorism to the 2009 H1N1 flu to Ebola. Our carefully crafted messages and materials target specific audiences and are informed by crisis and emergency risk communication principles. Our approach combines online and offline strategies to engage and prepare stakeholders for effective communication before, during, and after a crisis.

Latest Work

28 Mar 2015
Commentary

Preparing for Health Crises or Other Emergencies Isn’t Someone Else’s Job

In a New York Times op-ed, Bill Gates writes passionately about the lack of an effective international system to contain and defeat a future pandemic. He urges the United Nations to create a new organization responsible for worldwide planning and coordinated response. AIR researchers Julia Galdo and Alicia Eberl-Lefko contend the responsibility for preparing belongs to all of us.
14 Nov 2014
Commentary

In the Months Ahead, the Real Threat to Your Health is the Flu

Why are so many Americans more concerned about Ebola than flu, when the data doesn't support that fear? Researchers have found that unfamiliar, epidemic diseases (such as Ebola) are more likely to cause concern than familiar, endemic diseases, such as the flu. Add the high death rate of Ebola overseas and the prospect of being isolated in a hospital and treated by medical personnel in biohazard suits, and it’s only natural that people fear Ebola, even if the chance of contracting the disease is extremely small.
5 Aug 2014
Service

Client Services in Health Communications and Social Marketing

Sources of health information and knowledge are changing dramatically. While we used to rely on clinicians, social service providers, families, friends, and traditional media for guidance, now we also turn to a vast array of new resources in a digital world. AIR's work leverages both traditional and digital strategies to develop integrated communication and behavior-change strategies. AIR informs and engages a wide spectrum of audiences, targeting key influencers and various public groups.
Project

Protecting Youth in Juvenile Justice Systems from Disaster-related Injury and Trauma

As the number of federal disaster declarations increases, so does the challenge of protecting more than 60,000 youth in residential and correctional facilities from disaster-related injury and trauma.

Project

Take the Lead: Raising Awareness of Pandemic Flu

AIR supported CDC’s Take the Lead: Working Together to Prepare Now campaign, designed to mobilize local leaders—such as health care providers, employers, and faith-based and civic leaders—to raise awareness of pandemic flu and encourage the community to prepare and respond to flu outbreaks.

Project

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Campaign

To raise awareness and provide a source of accurate information for the media and first responders about public health emergencies, AIR worked with the Office of the Secretary of HHS to develop and disseminate a series of award-winning, easy to understand reference guides.

29 May 2013
Guide

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Manual

AIR partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to write, design, and publish the first comprehensive government manual on best practices in crisis and emergency risk communication.
Project

Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Population Monitoring Surveys

AIR conducted a series of surveys to assess the public’s knowledge, attitudes and behavior with respect to seasonal and pandemic influenza in 2007. We are continuing the series, focusing on H1N1 high-risk populations in 2009 and 2010.
Project

Working with Communities to Understand Health Risk

AIR collaborated with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Project

Biodefense Communication

AIR developed and delivered a one-day course, Face the Media, covering the basics of crisis communication for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokespersons.

Project

Communicating About Pandemic Flu

AIR is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Marketing to help individuals and communities prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.