"What We've Got Here Is Failure to Communicate": The Need for Crisis Communication Skills Training in Public Health Graduate Programs.

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Title: "What We've Got Here Is Failure to Communicate": The Need for Crisis Communication Skills Training in Public Health Graduate Programs.
Authors: Kelly, Patrick J. A. (AUTHOR), Bass, Sarah Bauerle (AUTHOR)
Source: American Journal of Public Health. Jan2026, Vol. 116 Issue 1, p74-78. 5p.
Subjects: Graduate education, Curriculum, Serial publications, Interprofessional relations, Crisis intervention (Mental health services), Mass media, Trust, Public health, Communication education, COVID-19 pandemic, Professional competence
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: The article discusses the critical need for enhanced crisis communication and media relations training in public health graduate programs to address the erosion of public trust in science, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that current curricula lack specific competencies in these areas, leaving public health professionals unprepared to effectively communicate scientific information to diverse audiences during crises. The authors advocate for integrating crisis communication training into accredited public health programs to equip future professionals with the skills necessary to convey clear, accurate messages and rebuild public confidence in health authorities. They emphasize the importance of adapting communication strategies to the evolving media landscape and fostering partnerships with communities to enhance message credibility and relevance. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of American Journal of Public Health is the property of American Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: "What We've Got Here Is Failure to Communicate": The Need for Crisis Communication Skills Training in Public Health Graduate Programs.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kelly%2C+Patrick+J%2E A%2E%22">Kelly, Patrick J. A.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bass%2C+Sarah+Bauerle%22">Bass, Sarah Bauerle</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22American+Journal+of+Public+Health%22">American Journal of Public Health</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 116 Issue 1, p74-78. 5p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+education%22">Graduate education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum%22">Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Serial+publications%22">Serial publications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interprofessional+relations%22">Interprofessional relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Crisis+intervention+%28Mental+health+services%29%22">Crisis intervention (Mental health services)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mass+media%22">Mass media</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Trust%22">Trust</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+health%22">Public health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+education%22">Communication education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19+pandemic%22">COVID-19 pandemic</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+competence%22">Professional competence</searchLink>
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  Data: The article discusses the critical need for enhanced crisis communication and media relations training in public health graduate programs to address the erosion of public trust in science, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes that current curricula lack specific competencies in these areas, leaving public health professionals unprepared to effectively communicate scientific information to diverse audiences during crises. The authors advocate for integrating crisis communication training into accredited public health programs to equip future professionals with the skills necessary to convey clear, accurate messages and rebuild public confidence in health authorities. They emphasize the importance of adapting communication strategies to the evolving media landscape and fostering partnerships with communities to enhance message credibility and relevance. [Extracted from the article]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of American Journal of Public Health is the property of American Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.2105/AJPH.2025.308303
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 5
        StartPage: 74
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Graduate education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Serial publications
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interprofessional relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Crisis intervention (Mental health services)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mass media
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      – SubjectFull: Trust
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      – SubjectFull: Public health
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      – SubjectFull: Communication education
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      – SubjectFull: COVID-19 pandemic
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      – SubjectFull: Professional competence
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      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: "What We've Got Here Is Failure to Communicate": The Need for Crisis Communication Skills Training in Public Health Graduate Programs.
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            NameFull: Kelly, Patrick J. A.
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              Text: Jan2026
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              Y: 2026
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