In the first reading, a number of notable public health campaigns were listed. Based on this, and the Essential Public Health Function # 7, as described in the second reading, identify and describe a public health campaign that you have seen recently. If you are able to link to materials (e.g. Fliers, videos, posters, etc.), please do so.
Be sure to describe the topic of the campaign including the topic and key messages, the methods of disseminating the information, and the targeted population or sub-population (if there is one). Do you feel that it met all of the tasks listed in EPHF #7? Do you feel that it has had the desired public health impact? Why or why not?
In the Learning Journal, be sure to describe:
- What you learned
- Any preconceived ideas or notions and how this activity and reading helped to add or dispel those ideas or notions
Be sure that your Learning Journal entry is a minimum of 500 words.
INSTRUCTION
I will identify a public health campaign that I have seen recently and describe the topic of the campaign, including the topic and key messages, the methods of disseminating the information, and the targeted population or sub-population, based on the Essential Public Health Function. Then, I will explain how the campaign was efficient in promoting public health, and how it helped me to add or dispel preconceived ideas or notions.
There is a function that "informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues" in Essential Public Health Functions formulated by CDC (World Health Organization, 2018, p.67). From this week's reading, I have learned that disseminating basic hygiene knowledge and educating people on how to stay healthy can improve public awareness, attitudes, and behavior and help promote public health as a whole community.
During the CONVID-19 pandemic, many rumors have spread in Japan, such as COVID-19 is a fictitious pathogen that does not exist, or COVID-19 is no different from a cold, so preventing it is unnecessary, and also COVID-19 vaccines damage the immune or affect fertility, etc.
The Japanese government has implemented various public health campaigns to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and to suppress untrue rumors from confusing people. And this campaign is consistent with the element of critical public health functions which I mentioned earlier.
Method
The government realized the fact that most people used video distribution sites. Then, they inform, educate, and empower people through YouTube or Google advertisements, etc.
This is some examples of advertisement that I watched on YouTube. This video combines various variations of advertisements into one, and each ad is 10 to 20 seconds long, 30 seconds at most.
VIDEO (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2020)
The topic and key messages
The Japanese government gave specific examples of COVID-19 primary symptoms, how to deal with them, and how to prevent them from spreading. At the same time, the government refuted several rumors through accurate data or explanations by experts, and called on people not to be overly anxious and distort the facts but to evaluate the truth with a calm mind. They also requested people not to post any information without evidence on SNS, even if it seems true.
The targeted population or sub-population
The target population is young people in their 10s to 30s who actively interact with people both online and offline. Both viruses and rumors spread through them. The campaign aims to direct the message and educate these young people.
How the campaign was efficient in promoting public health, and how it helped me to add or dispel preconceived ideas or notions.
I think this campaign helped to promote public health. There are so many advertisements like this on the internet, so I honestly thought these advertisements were just annoying to young people (and me), and no one paid attention. But as I watched the ad over and over again, I noticed that I remembered the content that I had heard and seen in the ad unconsciously. I used to think people would not remember advertisements unless the content was interesting or funny. However, people unconsciously memorize the content when they listen to it repeatedly, and even their normal behavior and consciousness are affected.
CONCLUSION
The Japanese government informs and educates young people through YouTube or Google advertisements to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and suppress untrue rumors from confusing people. This campaign aligns with the essential public health function of "informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues" (World Health Organization, 2018, p.67).
Thank you for your instruction, professor. Have a nice day:) (588 words)
References
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (2020). 政府広報スポットCM 新型コロナウイルス対策 10パターンまとめ (ENG title: 10 Government publicity CM for COVID-19 quarantine). YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p7kvdb40c
World Health Organization. (2018). Essential public health functions, health systems and health security: developing conceptual clarity and a WHO roadmap for action. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/272597
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