Resources from the CDC
(1) Communicating in Changing and Difficult Communication Environments: Some Things I've Learned Regarding Influenza Immunization. American Medical Association, 2005
Glen Nowak, Acting Director of Media Relations for the CDC, discusses the risk communication challenges and lessons learned from the 2004 influenza vaccine shortage.
Available for free:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/36/summit_2005_nowak.pdf
(2) Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication by Leaders for Leaders. Published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005.
"Crisis and emergency risk communication is the attempt by science or public health professionals to provide information that allows an individual, stakeholders or an entire community, to make the best possible decisions about their well-being, under nearly impossible time constraints, and to communicate those decisions, while accepting the imperfect nature of their choices.
In the months since 9/11, the CDC has grappled with a variety of its own communication challenges and as a result, formulated strategies to build and enhance capacity in Emergency Risk Communication at the local, state and federal level.
Drawing from lessons learned from the anthrax crisis, as well as best practices from the fields of both risk and crisis communication, the CDC has moved forward in meeting the needs of both partners and stakeholders in preparing for, responding to and recovering from the threat of bioterrorism and emergent diseases, by developing a comprehensive training program."
To view this document for free, visit http://www.cdc.gov/communication/emergency/blfl.pdf
Additional information about risk communication at CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/communication/