Promoting a Healthier Georgia Through Award-Winning Communications and Outreach
The Division of Communications serves as the department’s in-house, full-scale marketing and communications agency creating and delivering multiple forms of internal and external communications and channels, while also leading the agency's emergency communications efforts. As a requirement to service, all division staff are trained in disaster monitoring, intelligence and response from a communications perspective.
The Division of Communications plans and executes programs promoting better health through strong coordination with internal program leaders, the Executive Leadership Team, and communications staff in each of Georgia’s 18 public health districts.
The division’s Atlanta-based team manages and oversees outreach and social marketing activities for more than 100 important Public Health programs including those housed within the sections of Chronic Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory.
The Division of Communications leads all interaction with the public and news media to improve the health of our communities, connect Georgians with important information and services, and maintain transparency. Every week, the Division of Communications answers dozens of inquiries from state, national and global media organizations and distributes news releases, media advisories and public notices continually. Annually, the division publishes 51 editions of PHWEEK, Georgia's most widely-circulated public health newsletter reaching 8,000 subscribers. The innovative development of a Speakers Bureau has yielded hundreds of speaking engagements involving the commissioner and other leaders to advance the work of the department.
With public education a cornerstone, the division manages all of the department’s digital properties, including award-winning websites and social media platforms, each with growing audiences and content delivering the most current, up-to-date information in real-time. Most recently, the division built and launched a broadcast-quality video production studio – another advancement aimed at preserving precious resources and funding for areas where they’re most needed.
Division of Communications team achievements and honors include 19 Awards of Excellence from the CDC’s National Public Health Information Coalition and a Web Health Award, while also sharing a Technology Innovation Award from the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) and an honorable mention for Individual and Community Preparedness from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – all since 2011.
The division is proud to serve as lead support for a variety of external partners including the Georgia Children’s Cabinet and Georgia SHAPE, among many others.
Links
>> New Video Production Studio to Connect DPH with Live Audiences (9/15/2014)
>> Seven National Awards Presented to DPH Division of Communications (8/25/2014)
>> DPH Communications Projects Receive Six National Awards (9/26/2013)
>> DPH Launches New Website with You in Mind (9/6/2013)
>> DPH Launches New Branding (9/4/2013)
>> DPH Social Media Earn National Ranking (4/29/2013)
>> DPH Hosts First Twitter Chat: CDC's HIV chief joins agency to discuss challenges in Georgia (12/10/2012)
>> DPH Brings Six NPHIC Awards Home (10/9/2012
Page last updated 01/07/16