Why Brand for Local Public Health?
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Local governmental health departments, unlike police, fire and emergency response agencies or voluntary organizations such as the Red Cross, historically lacked a visual identity that was universally known. Many health departments have their own logos, but some do not. Many times, public health personnel have gone about their work in a way that is invisible in the neighborhoods and communities where they work. Using a visual symbol consistently over time helps build public awareness. It lets everyone who observes or uses health department personnel, facilities, vehicles, publications, community meetings, or any other activity know that the health department is on the job. NACCHO developed a logo, accompanied by the carefully chosen words, “Prevent. Promote. Protect” to offer to governmental health departments for two reasons: (1) to provide a service to those departments who lack the resources to develop their own symbol and message; and (2) to offer all health departments a common symbol and tagline (which, taken together, constitute a “visual identity”) that has the potential to become universally recognized and understood. Use of the logo and tagline is entirely voluntary. They can be used alone or they can be used in conjunction with the existing logo used by a department. NACCHO has established guidelines for using them because preserving uniformity is an important part of achieving the ultimate goal of universal recognition of the symbol. Using the logo and messages frequently and prominently helps show pride in the people and power of public health, who are at work every day in every community. It is time for local health departments to be visible and understood by all. Adopting a consistent visual identity is one important way to achieve that goal.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES »PowerPoint Presentation: Introduction to the National Identity A brief PowerPoint presentation that highlights the purpose of the identity and why to use it. Includes a slide with the silhouette of the logo used alongside the logos of other service agencies, like police, fire and EMS. Download »
Download fact sheets, press release and PowerPoint templates and more to help your LHD communicate about the national identity for local public health. More »
»A Guide to Using the National Identity A PDF document with information on how the logo was developed, a style guide with "dos" and "don'ts" and examples of how it can be used on materials. Download » |
The Case for Branding Local Public Health
