Consistent, transparent messaging key to effective COVID communication
The “Designated Driver” campaign—which helped shift the culture of drinking and driving in the U.S.—may offer lessons on how to convince people to take safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its architect, Jay Winsten of Harvard…
How the pandemic has hurt public trust in science
A mix of factors, including rapidly evolving science, mixed messaging, and misinformation, has eroded public trust in science during the pandemic, say experts.
We're better off when we swipe right on public health
When Antón Castellanos Usigli was asked to help bring younger LGBTQ people into a Brooklyn clinic for sexual health services, he thought it would be a piece of cake. But after his first attempts failed, Antón turned to…
How not to be overwhelmed with COVID-19 news
To avoid becoming “saturated” with the daily deluge of COVID-19 news, consider dialing it back, says health communication expert Kasisomayajula “Vish” Viswanath. Viswanath, Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,…
Op-ed: 'Patriarchy' influences authorship of prestigious medical journal commentaries
Women are about 20% less likely to author invited commentaries in medical journals than men with similar levels of expertise and achievement in their fields, according to a December 10, 2019 op-ed in STAT by Emma Thomas, a…
Questioning Facebook’s foray into preventive health
A new health care feature from Facebook called “Preventive Health” is aimed at encouraging users to get recommended screenings like mammograms and blood pressure tests, and to focus on other disease-preventing measures like getting a flu shot. But…
Women scientists author fewer invited commentaries in medical journals than men with comparable credentials
For immediate release: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 Boston, MA – Women scientists were 21% less likely to author invited commentaries in medical journals during a five-year period than men with similar scientific expertise, seniority, and publication metrics, according…
NEJM’s new editor keeps focus on rigor and objectivity
In his first editorial since being named editor of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Eric Rubin, Irene Heinz Given Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discussed his plans…
Using music to combat HIV in Zambia
A Harvard Chan alum is partnering with musicians in Zambia to raise awareness about HIV prevention.
Remembering tragedy that prompted ‘Designated Driver’ campaign
The “Designated Driver” campaign got its start, in part, after WBZ-TV reporter Dennis Kauff died from injuries sustained in a 1985 car crash caused by a drunk driver. After learning about Kauff’s death, Jay Winsten of Harvard T.H.…