Emergency and Risk Communications (ERC) Project

This intercultural communication project drew on face-to-face meetings and ICTs in an effort to build the capacity of public health officers to plan ahead for challenges and threats that may imperil the health of the Chinese public - i.e. from emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, pandemic influenza, HIV/AIDS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Specifically, approximately 80 HERO representatives from 11 provinces in China gathered in Xiangfan City, Hubei Province to engage in training sessions meant to build their capacity to assess various communication channels that might be used in the event of a public health emergency.

ICTs were used to facilitate this training/testing process; netconferencing took place across 7 provinces, and satellite training was offered at 3 provincial military hospitals. The hypothesis being tested here was that internet-based, long-distance, rapid training may be practical in China due to the fact that "the overwhelming majority of county level CDCs have good internet access".

According to organisers, this process was shaped by a culturally sensitive and participatory research approach. Namely, a "Chinese expert panel" worked collaboratively to develop a communication plan appropriate to China's needs - one based on the CDC's "Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Principles" (for details, click here). After pilot training with the contents of the drafted guideline and testing training effectiveness, the expert panel revised and finalised this document, and created a set of checklists, pocket guides, and summary documents for local health authorities. Then, in advance of pilot testing of public workforce training (which involved use of multiple ICT modes), organisers carried out an assessment in 58 Global Fund Round 3 (GF3) project counties. Case studies, discussions, and message testing were subsequently carried out in Fujian Province, Sanming City, and Zhanghou.

Risk Management, Health.

Organisers maintain that global disease detection, surveillance, and response are critical to prevent and slow the spread of emerging infectious diseases.