"Spread the Message Not a Disease" is a three-phase public health campaign developed and coordinated by the local health departments of the fifteen (15) counties of central Ohio.
The campaign was created as a tool by which local health departments in the Ohio Central Region could approach private sector partners and engage them in a public information campaign.
The initial phase of the campaign focused on the behavior of hand washing as a primary tool to prevent the spread of illness. Materials such as vinyl clings, posters, table tents and public service announcements were distributed in the central Ohio region. Later phases of the campaign introduced more complicated topics such as respiratory etiquette and social distancing and relied on public-private partnerships and minimal funding to get the materials out. All elements of the campaign were focus group tested before use.
The campaign goals were (1) To apply social marketing concepts to behaviors considered essential in a pandemic event; (2) To use socially desirable behaviors, i.e., hand washing, as a seque to private sector partners and (3) To expand communication networks for use in emergencies.
Statistical analysis of this campaign was completed with the assistance of Ohio State University, who presented the project to the National Association of County and City Health Officials. One of the results of this projects shows a 25 percent higher recognition of hand washing principles between Union County and a county that did not receive the materials or view the public service announcements.
These materials have been requested by several states and some foreign countries for use in their public health education efforts. If you are using these materials in another state or region, we'd love to hear from you. Please click here to send us an e-mail. Please share freely and often.
If you would like to print higher resolution images for your own use, send us an e-mail to request electronic files.
Last Updated January 8, 2008
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