Emerging Trends in Public Health
Sharing Session - 60 Minutes
Michael Swain, MPH
PhD Student
University of Florida Department of Epidemiology
Michael Swain, MPH
PhD Student
University of Florida Department of Epidemiology
Kelly Gurka, MPH, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Florida Department of Epidemiology
Local health departments have witnessed first-hand the challenges of unfounded doubts in vaccinations and the effect it has on population health. As local and state health agencies work to understand vaccine hesitancy and develop campaigns to communicate vaccine effectiveness, this session provides insights that will help practitioners communicate the importance of vaccines to specific population groups expressing reluctance.
This research analyzed data from a nationally representative survey asking participants about their views on vaccine benefits versus harms and whether vaccines should be required for school attendance. The analysis included participant-provided information on their demographics, political views and personality traits. Results were significant for many variables, including race, education, religiosity, and egalitarianism and authoritarianism views.
Using this information, the session will provide detailed results that local health practitioners can apply in their communities to tailor communications with the public and conduct outreach to specific community groups. Attendees will have the opportunity to understand the many variables at play that lead to vaccine hesitancy, tips for communicating with these populations based on the evidence, and how to deconstruct a one-size fits all vaccine message into multiple messages that can increase message effectiveness for specific groups and ultimately improve vaccination rates to prevent disease.