Local health department communications professionals play a key role in positioning the department as an essential resource for the community. Through effective media relations, local health department officials can position their services as relevant and uniquely able to meet community needs, build credibility, and position themselves as trusted local leaders.

“It’s never been more important for local public health departments to provide timely and credible health information to the communities we serve,” said Alison Clark, Public Information Officer at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (MI). “Media outlets in our jurisdictions are vital partners in helping people understand complex health issues and identify dangerous health falsehoods.” 

Insights From the Field: Media Tips and Resources for Local Health Departments, provides media relations information that is applicable to the needs of local health departments. It was developed by communications professionals from local health departments who are members of NACCHO’s Public Health Communications Workgroup (2024-2025).

“Our workgroup recognized that public health communicators come into their role from many different paths,” said Erie County (NY) Department of Health Public Information Officer Kara Kane. “We drew upon our collective experiences as professional communicators to distill our own lessons learned into an easy-to-follow resource, no matter how familiar someone is with the world of media.” 

This new resource provides tips and checklists covering a variety of topics including gathering impactful stories to share with the media, creating a press release, hosting a press conference, and talking with the media.

Click here to download Insights From the Field: Media Tips and Resources for Local Health Departments.

Additional Resource: In 2024, members of NACCHO’s Public Health Communications Workgroup released a Communications Planning Guide for Local Health Departments. The guide provides a basic framework to use when communicating specific messages to the public or segments of the public. It includes questions to consider when developing communications and evaluation strategies. The guide also includes considerations for how local health department professionals can incorporate health equity, social justice, and accessibility considerations, including health literacy, into their work. Click here to learn more.