Crisis communication
While risk communication is ongoing, crisis communication is a reactive communication effort in the face of an unforeseen event. It is often unpredictable and unexpected, develops suddenly, takes uncontrolled course and evokes uncontrollable reactions.
An open, honest, and ongoing interaction with the audience remains essential to successful communication during crisis. Focus is kept on the message, the time of its announcement and the media used, and some common advice to improve include:
- Do not allow a delayed reaction;
- Do not abandon pro-active action or allow for no action at all;
- Do not allow lack of preparedness to communicate in a crisis;
- Do not ignore the needs and expectations of the mass traditional media;
- Do not allow for lack of communication with external partners and stakeholders;
- Do not allow lack of internal communication in health systems and organisations;
- Do not allow information chaos;
- Do not play down the complexity of audience diversity;
- Promote careful elaboration and proactive planning of potential actions related to crisis communication as a crucial element in eliminating the unexpected characteristic of a crisis and probably prevent it or at least avoid its uncontrolled course;
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Toscana, West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses: external quality assessment for molecular detection of emerging neurotropic viruses in Europe, 2017
Reusken, C., Baronti, C., Mögling, R., Papa, A., Leitmeyer, K., Charrel, R.N.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
A cluster of Legionnaires' disease in Belgium linked to a cooling tower, August-September 2016: Practical approach and challenges
Hammami, N., Laisnez, V., Wybo, I., Uvijn, D., Broucke, C., Van Damme, A., Van Zandweghe, L., Bultynck, W., Temmerman, W., Van De Ginste, L., Moens, T., Robesyn, E.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Preparedness and response against diseases with epidemic potential in the European Union: A qualitative case study of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and poliomyelitis in five member states
Kinsman, J., Angrén, J., Elgh, F., Furberg, M., Mosquera, P.A., Otero-García, L., Snacken, R., Derrough, T., Carrillo Santisteve, P., Ciotti, M., Tsolova, S.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Development of a public health emergency preparedness competency model for European Union countries
Stoto, M.A., Savoia, E., Nelson, C., Piltch-Loeb, R., Guicciardi, S., Takacs, J., Santos, C.V., Ciotti, M.
Publication
ECDC tool for the prioritisation of infectious disease threats
This qualitative tool, implemented as an Excel workbook, ranks infectious disease threats in a transparent, comparable and methodologically reproducible manner.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Risk communication as a core public health competence in infectious disease management: Development of the ECDC training curriculum and programme
Dickmann, P., Abraham, T., Sarkar, S., Wysocki, P., Cecconi, S., Apfel, F., Nurm, Ü.
Publication
Measles and rubella elimination: communicating the importance of vaccination
The goal of this project is to support EU Member States in their fight against measles and rubella. This report should enable Member States to engage in effective, evidence-based risk communication.
Publication
A literature review on effective risk communication for the prevention and control of communicable diseases in Europe
This review brings together the current body of literature on risk communication (focused on communicable diseases) in a concise reference document which can be used to inform the development of evidence-based risk communication strategies and approaches.
Publication
A literature review of trust and reputation management in communicable disease public health
For public health organisations involved in communicable disease control, trust and reputation management is vital. In the event of a disease outbreak these organisations need to be seen as a credible source and must communicate messages to calm public fears. Yet to date there has been little focus on this issue within health communication.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Lessons learned from the 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic at EU level: Editorial
Snacken, R.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Moderate pandemic, not many dead - Learning the right lessons in Europe from the 2009 pandemic
Nicoll, A., McKee, M.
Publication