Health Department Communications

Local Health Department Communications

Local health departments often need to use communications activities to influence policymakers, engage the media, educate the public, deliver calls to action, and inspire behavioral change. An integrated communications strategy includes media outreach, branding, social media, marketing, advertising, and community engagement. NACCHO provides resources to help local health departments effectively communicate their value, promote health and wellness, and build relationships with the media, policymakers, and public.

To download communications materials, visit the NACCHO Toolbox and select "Communications Toolkit" from the Toolkits menu.

What is a Public Health Communicator?

A public health communicator shapes, spreads, and analyzes the impact of a public health message. Public health communicators include public information officers and other specialists in communications, marketing, branding, social media, health risk, community relations, and cross-cultural communication. Learn how your local health department can build its communications capacity by hiring a dedicated public health communicator.