📰 Our September newsletter is here! This edition highlights recent studies & publications that discuss how to change the public health narrative, the real-world impact of framing immigration as a "crisis," and a critical look at what federal COVID-19 vaccine communication missed and more.

What can the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine PSAs teach us about public health communication? In our newest COMM blog post, first author Margaret Tait breaks down her recently published research on the critical messaging missteps in federally-sponsored PSAs.

Thanks @jenniferngandu.bsky.social! What gives me hope is @commhsp.bsky.social's tips for communicating effectively about health disparities. It start with looking at what communities bring to the table. commhsp.org/tips-for-com... What brings you hope @joanalker1.bsky.social?

@bigcitieshealth.org Just released their updated Overdose Prevention Messaging Playbook! It features new evidence-based guidance on communicating about harm reduction, backed by new public opinion research. Join their webinar on Sept. 10 to learn more. Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

This paper, led by my former PhD advisee @margarettait.bsky.social, offers important insights into the limitations of the federal PSA campaign for COVID-19 vaccination way back in 2021. I know hindsight is 20/20, but wow, there were some missed opportunities in this mass communication campaign.

🔍 Did COVID-19 Vaccine PSAs Address Public Skepticism? New Publication Reveals Critical Gaps. Key findings from research by @margarettait.bsky.social & team:

If public health is about protecting all communities, why are so many still left behind? @commhsp.bsky.social’s new report offers insights for journalists, advocates, and leaders about why and how to frame issues like #StructuralRacism and #HealthInequity to drive change. bsky.app/profile/comm...

Reporting about health equity is harder than ever—but what if the framing itself is part of the problem? Our new study (linked below) reveals why journalists struggle with these stories and how to reframe them effectively. Swipe through for actionable strategies to improve health equity stories.

🚨 New from COMM: How can we communicate about health equity more effectively in today’s polarized world? Our latest research brief reveals key insights from public health leaders, journalists, and advocates—plus actionable strategies to drive change. 📖 Read & share: mailchi.mp/c853fe7de617...

As we reflect on Juneteenth's significance in America's racial justice journey, we're sharing key findings in our new research brief summarizing our recent publication, "Racism as a Public Health Crisis: How Declarations Shape Local TV News Attention to Racism."

As always, a joy to work with @povertyscholar.bsky.social and the rest of the @commhsp.bsky.social on this survey. You can find our data tables at: commhsp.org/april-2025-p...

Jamila Michener (@povertyscholar.bsky.social) and Sarah Gollust's (@sarahgollust.bsky.social) new opinion piece in Milbank argues that the Medicaid cuts being debated by Congress are undemocratic. Across the political spectrum, Americans support Medicaid—and they would act to protect the program.

🌞 Summer’s here—and so is our May newsletter!

Our member Natalia de Paula Moreira (@nataliapmoreira.bsky.social) and team just published an important study on declarations of racism as a public health crisis. Key findings:

1/6. One thing I’ve often found interesting in research on perceptions of health disparities is the frequency with which the perspectives of the communities that bear the brunt of those disparities are omitted. In our latest @commhsp.bsky.social paper, we highlight what gets lost when that happens.

How can we talk about health disparities to build support for change? Our new study found that highlighting structural causes for racial differences in health—like housing segregation—rather than just describing disparity rates increases support for addressing inequality, without backlash.

Poll: Many Americans say they’ll lose trust in public health recommendations under federal leadership changes. But despite stark divisions, several health priorities have bipartisan support. debeaumont.org/news/2025/po...

Check out this article (linked below) by COMM member Kristina Medero and co-authors @sarahgollust.bsky.social, CeRon Ford, and Hamdi Abdi on identifying and addressing imposter participants in qualitative research—offering practical recommendations to strengthen study integrity.

The latest from our @commhsp.bsky.social team’s effort to understand what is getting through—most Americans had heard at least a little about the firing of scientists and health workers. Read more in the 🧵 ⬇️

Rebekah Nagler & collaborators reveal partisan disparities in public awareness of federal science agency threats—with Democrats more likely to know of funding cuts & firings. As layoffs grow, public engagement becomes urgent to show how cuts impact health outcomes. Article linked in original post.

Dominant narratives shape health—reinforcing power & inequality. Our report breaks down 5 harmful narratives, from ‘American Exceptionalism’ to ‘Inherent Scarcity,’ and their role in unjust systems. Read more here: commhsp.org/dominant-nar...

New Milbank opinion piece from our COMM team members, Jamila Michener (@povertyscholar.bsky.social) and Sarah Rozenblum, on how state child tax credits can advance equity. Expanding these credits can help reduce child poverty and support families most in need—a must-read! Link in the comments.

How can local journalism better serve public health? Trust + access + collaboration = stronger stories. Key takeaways from our panel with top journalists; @joannekenen.bsky.social, @denekdryden.bsky.social, Sheila Eldred, and moderator @ninamoini.bsky.social in the blogpost linked in the comments.

🎉 It’s the day! Tune into our webinar today at 1:00 PM CT, hosted by Marissa Evans. Haven’t registered yet? No worries—sign up using the link in the comments. See you all at the webinar!

⏳ 24 HOURS TO GO! Tomorrow’s webinar with @marissaevans.bsky.social is going to be exciting, packed with tips & strategies for health journalists. Don’t miss it! 📅 March 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM CT 🔗 Sign up in the link below

⏳ Only 3 Days to Go! Have you registered yet? Our webinar is this Thursday, March 20. Don’t miss out—register using the link below! What questions or topics are you hoping we’ll address? Let us know in the comments!

This webinar is this THURSDAY, 1pm CT, a webinar for health journalists presented by @marissaaevans.bsky.social - please see below and register!

⏳ Join the Countdown! Only 9 days left until our webinar on March 20 at 1:00 PM CT! Don’t forget to register using the link below and let us know in the comments: What are you most excited to learn?

🌟 Meet the Host: Marissa Evans Thrilled to have @marissaaevans.bsky.social, an award-winning journalist and leading voice in health equity reporting, hosting our webinar on March 20! Based in LA, she specializes in health equity, racial disparities, and social justice. 📌 Register below!

🎉Tomorrow’s the day and we can’t wait to see you there! 📅 When: March 5, 2025 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM 📍 Where: The Market at Malcolm Yards, Minneapolis

✨ Our first newsletter of the year is here! Packed with exciting events, recent publications, celebratory news, and more. Stay informed and inspired! 📩 Link in comments.

⏳ Final call! Don’t miss out on an engaging discussion about the future of local journalism and its impact on public health. 👇 Read more below in the initial post for event details and registration information.

1/7. Public discourse about racial equity has changed a lot over the years. At @commhsp.bsky.social we’ve been monitoring those changes and their consequences. In a new 538 article, @efranklinfowler.bsky.social and I share what we’ve been seeing and why it matters. abcnews.go.com/538/national...

Building on work from our @commhsp.bsky.social team, @neillewisjr.bsky.social and I describe the shifting attention in racial equity issues and the rise of counter-messaging in media attention since 2020 (see Neil’s excellent 🧵 and link below for the summary). I want to highlight one other trend… 1/

🚨 Big Announcement! The COMM team is hosting a must-attend webinar on March 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM CT: "The Racial Reckoning is Still Happening - A Webinar for Journalists Covering Health Care." 🔗 Register now: shorturl.at/nXqrz

🚨 Don’t miss leading health journalists—Joanne Kenen, Dené Dryden, Marissa Evans, and Sheila Eldred—discuss local reporting’s role in public health and policy. A lively panel, Q&A, and appetizers await! 👉 Read more below for details and registration.

How can local journalism better serve public health? Join us for a free event with Minnesota Journalism Center featuring top journalists: Joanne Kenen, Dené K. Dryden, Marissa Evans, and Sheila Mulrooney Eldred. Learn more below. 📅 March 5th @ 5:00 PM 📍 The Market at Malcolm Yards 🔗 RSVP below

Summary of our recent findings here: news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

I've been doing some work on Child Tax Credit policies (especially on the state level). Much of this work is still in progress, but I am glad to see this first paper (co-authored with a larger team of scholars from the @commhsp.bsky.social) come out. Here are a few key learnings (1/n)

🚨 New study in PNAS Nexus! Strategic messaging on equity and the Child Tax Credit expansion can build support across racial, ethnic, and political groups. Findings show that well-crafted messages emphasizing shared values and policy benefits can resonate widely. Read more: doi.org/10.1093/pnas...

✨ Happy New Year from the COMM Team! ✨ We hope your holiday season was filled with rest, joy, and time with loved ones. As 2025 begins, we’re excited to connect and share impactful work with you. Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and progress together! 🎉

🚨 December Newsletter Alert! Wrapping up 2024 with: 1. A blog on campaign ads—priorities, blind spots & their impact on health equity. 2. COMM team highlights: publications, conferences & webinars. Check it out in the link below and subscribe to our newsletter! 📩

Day 3 at #APHA2024: Join us once more for the following sessions and learn more about what our team is working on! 🕓 4:30-4:45 PM: Chloe Gansen will explore how exposure to conflicting health information impacts the perceived credibility of health information sources.

✨ After a successful Day 1 at #APHA2024, we’re excited for Day 2 with more great presentations: At 9:15 AM, Yusra Murad will present on how Minneapolis TV news frames homelessness in the session "Advocating for Health Justice for Marginalized Groups."

We are excited to share our community-based research on narrative power in partnership with the Center for Health Progress at hashtag#APHA2024. Read more about our collaborative project in the links below (available in both Spanish and English).

🍂 Beautiful chilly fall day in Minneapolis for #APHA2024! Excited to start a week of presentations. 🗓 Today, 4:30-6 PM: Join Marissa Hallo & Jasmine Sandate from Center of Health Progress for "Community-Driven Transformation." They'll share how CBPR informs health equity narratives.

📢 One week until the #APHA2024 conference. Check out the original post below for the sessions we'll be attending. We’re ready for exciting conversations—see you there!

Hello new Bluesky followers! If you are looking for election content, may I recommend following our @wesmediaproject.bsky.social account for all things political advertising. If you are a health policy person, I recommend @commhsp.bsky.social as well.

Join us at the APHA Conference in Minneapolis, MN, October 27-30! We’re excited to showcase a diverse range of presentations from our team, all focused on how media, narratives, and public perceptions influence health equity. See our full lineup of sessions below! ⬇️

The webinar is TOMORROW! Don’t miss your chance to join us and @rwjfoundation.bsky.social on Oct 1 from 1-2 p.m. ET to learn how to effectively communicate about health inequality. 🔗 Register: www.rwjf.org/communicatio... #HealthEquity #Webinar #PublicHealth