Ethiopian One Health Risk Communication Strategy

Abstract

During public health emergencies, people need to know what health risks they face, and what actions they can take to protect their health and lives. Accurate information provided early, often, and in languages and channels that people understand, trust, and use, enables individuals to make choices and take actions to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from threatening health hazards. Risk communication is an integral part of any emergency response. It is the real-time exchange of information, advice, and opinions between experts, community leaders, or officials and the people who are at risk. During health threat emergencies, effective risk communication allows people most at risk to understand and adopt protective behaviors. It allows authorities and experts to listen to and address people’s concerns and needs so that the advice they provide is relevant, trusted, and acceptable.