Four Things I Learned About Behavior Change During a Pandemic

/in , , /by

This article is based on an interview with behavioral scientist Katy Milkman and social neuroscientist Jay Van Bavel, hosted by the journal Behavioral Scientist.

The two shared their insights on a range of topics—vaccine uptake, how political identity and polarization have impacted public health, their behavior-change bright spots from an otherwise challenging year, and more.

The author lists four lessons learned from this interview:

  1. Why understanding the root causes of political identity and polarization are key for public health
  2. The power of megastudies to help us understand how to boost vaccine uptake
  3. Are people more likely to change their behavior if they have personal experience with COVID-19? It’s complicated.
  4. Despite challenges, science (and scientists) shone brightly this year

Source: Four Things I Learned About Behavior Change During a Pandemic

    Views 657

    Demand Creation and Advocacy for COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Uptake

    /in , , /by

    As the introduction of effective COVID-19 vaccines is on the horizon, it is time to quickly expand SBC programs to address public acceptance of and generate demand for these critical public health tools.

    This quick start guide was developed to support FHI 360 programs and their partners to design and implement demand creation and advocacy activities as part of national COVID-19 vaccine introduction efforts. This guide draws primarily on FHI 360’s experience designing and implementing SBC programs to promote uptake of health products and services, including vaccination services, but also borrows from other global tools, including those developed by the WHO and UNICEF.

    This resource can be used by SBC practitioners as a step-by-step guide to take them from defining and understanding local SBC needs to implementing and adjusting activities to respond to changing conditions. Importantly, this resource is intended as a living document where additional design and implementation tools will be added (or removed), and adaptations made to ensure the guide and its component parts remain current and useful.

    Source: Demand Creation and Advocacy for COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Uptake

      Views 555

      The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook

      /in , , , /by

      This handbook is for journalists, doctors, nurses, policy makers, researchers, teachers, students, parents, and others.

      It contains information about:

      • COVID-19 vaccines
      • How to talk to others about them
      • How to challenge misinformation about the vaccines

      Source: The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook

        Views 952

        5 Ways to Use Sensitivity When Writing About Vaccines

        /in , , , /by

        This blog explains that health professionals need to approach their patients who are opposed to vaccination with understanding and patience.

        They should anticipate vaccine-related questions and suggest five ways to deal with the patients:

        1. Knowledge Management: An Effective Tool to Stem Vaccine Hesitancy
        2. Contain Vaccination Misinformation
        3. Find a new way to tell the “this is why vaccines are important” story
        4. Use Your Platform to Educate About the Benefit of Vaccines
        5. Identify Pro-Immunization Spokespeople

        Source: 5 Ways to Use Sensitivity When Writing About Vaccines

          Views 827

          COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy, India

          /in , , , , , /by

          This communication strategy supports the COVID-19 vaccines rollout in India and seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and transparent information about the vaccine(s) to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, ensure its acceptance and encourage uptake.

          The strategy will also serve to guide national, state and district level communication activities, so that the information on the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination process reaches all people, across all states in the country.

          Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy, India

            Views 901

            COVID-19 Vaccination Communication

            /in , , , , /by

            This report, which was developed in consultation with leading experts in social and behavioral sciences and public health, outlines evidence-informed communication strategies in support of national COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts across federal agencies and their state and local partners.

            Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Communication

              Views 596

              Checklist: How to Create Content About the COVID-19 Vaccine

              /in , , , /by

              Creating content about the COVID-19 vaccines requires a deliberate, well-executed plan. As you begin developing vaccine content at your institution, use our step-by-step checklist to ensure a smooth rollout.

              Anyone can download this free checklist to learn the following:

              • How your content can lower readers’ anxiety and reassure them as they search for vaccine information
              • The most effective ways to reach your unique audience and how to address their concerns
              • Specific questions you’ll need to answer about getting the vaccine at your health system
              • Methods for handling false information on your social channels

              Source: Checklist: How to Create Content About the COVID-19 Vaccine

                Views 579

                Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination at Your Facility

                /in , , , , /by

                This toolkit provides long-term care facility (LTCF) administrators and clinical leadership with information and resources to help build vaccine confidence among healthcare personnel (HCP) and residents.

                The toolkit emphasizes the critical role played by health professionals in providing trusted information and ensuring high COVID-19 vaccination coverage in their facility.

                Source: Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination at Your Facility

                  Views 630

                  Tips for Professional Reporting on COVID-19 Vaccines

                  /in , /by

                  Journalists play a vital role in informing the public on science, specifically vaccine, developments, in an unprecedented period of scientific publishing.

                  The situation is constantly evolving but there are some general guidelines that should be followed whenever possible:

                  • Don’t just report the topline
                  • Don’t trust data automatically
                  • Use trusted and reliable sources
                  • State the source
                  • Define the terms
                  • Use clear language
                  • Explain the stage
                  • Report the numbers
                  • Disclose the side effects
                  • Use appropriate imagery
                  • Don’t forget demographics
                  • Remind everyone of the benefits of vaccines

                  Tackle vaccine hesitancy by reporting facts and figures on vaccine efficacy in ending epidemics throughout history.

                  Source: Tips for Professional Reporting on COVID-19 Vaccines

                    Views 562

                    Call for Action: Managing the Infodemic

                    /in , , , /by

                    Although infodemics are not a new phenomenon, the volume and rapid scale-up of facts, but also misinformation and disinformation, surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak are unprecedented.

                    Deeply concerned with the undermining consequences of the current infodemic to the COVID-19 response and acknowledging the great potential for improved risk communication through new tools, the WHO has called on key stakeholders and the global community to commit to undertaking the actions in this article.

                    Source: Call for Action: Managing the Infodemic

                      Views 716