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The Office of Communications supports the Virginia Department of Health’s mission of promoting and protecting the health of all Virginians by effectively communicating accurate and timely health information. Through media relations, communications training, promotion of health programs and public education/awareness, the Office of Communications educates people about their health and the health of their communities. The general public, legislators and health care partners represent key audiences. Top communications outreach initiatives include promoting emergency preparedness and chronic disease prevention.
The communications team has implemented a number of outreach activities to help educate the public and partners about preparing for a global outbreak, or pandemic, of influenza. In January 2006, communications staff developed and launched the state pandemic flu Web site, www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu. The site provides Virginians with a single resource for comprehensive information about Avian Flu and preparing for the possibility of a flu pandemic. VDH also produced a video for the public on avian and pandemic influenza issues, with the assistance of Governor Timothy M. Kaine, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and the business community. This video has been very well received by the public and remains in high demand. Communications staff coordinated media relations during the Virginia Pandemic Flu Summit held in March, 2006. More than a dozen news organizations covered the summit.
Throughout the year, the Office of Communications participates in emergency exercises which help prepare VDH to respond during natural or man-made disasters and other public health threats. That training was put into practice in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. VDH communications staff took the lead in coordinating communications response efforts at Town Pickett, a shelter and recovery center set up to accommodate up to 1,400 evacuees within Fort Pickett Army National Guard Base in Blackstone. A member of the communications team was deployed as a Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson during hurricane recovery efforts at a shelter in Texas.
VDH’s booth at the State Fair of Virginia in September 2005 featured interactive games related to preparing for an emergency and avoiding illness. VDH and Governor Timothy M. Kaine teamed up to encourage exercise and nutrition in children with public service announcements and outreach at a Henrico County school. Staff also coordinated a press conference at which Gov. Kaine announced a new VDH Web site offering resources for culturally and linguistically sensitive health care.