Office of Public Information

Harris County Health & Environmental Services

Strategies for Improving Health Literacy

2011 HCPHES Pandemic Influenza Planning Projects

Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: A Risk Communication Perspective

The Office of Public Information (OPI) utilizes a comprehensive approach to inform and empower Harris County residents and enhance community awareness by means of media relations, communication, public information, public awareness campaigns, marketing strategies, and risk communication. OPI supports and advances the goals and overall mission of HCPHES by:

Developing and implementing public information and public awareness methods to achieve key objectives including, but not limited to:

Providing the public and key stakeholders with timely and accurate public health information,

Conducting effective risk communication during normal public health activities as well as during public health emergencies, and

Conducting effective public awareness and/or marketing campaigns to communicate important health information and HCPHES community activities.

Developing public information tools (e.g. press releases, media advisories, brochures, fliers, web pages, and community forums) designed to meet specific HCPHES program objectives or general mission objectives.
Organizing and conducting press conferences, media interviews, town hall meetings, etc.
Providing guidance and technical assistance to HCPHES staff to effectively communicate health information to the public for the implementation of community awareness projects.