Developing Tailored Messages

Module 1	Introduction	Unit 1 DMC Toolkit Welcome
Module 2	Getting Started	Unit 1 How to Use This Toolkit
Module 3	Active Listening	Unit 1 Data Flows at the Speed of Trust
Module 4	Storytelling	Unit 1 Telling the Story of Data Modernization
Module 5	Customizing Messages	Unit 1 Developing Tailored Messages
Module 6	Resources	Unit 1 Toolkit resources

Developing tailored messages

Creating customized messaging is a critical component of data modernization communications. This section guides data modernization teams in understanding the needs of various audiences and crafting targeted, effective messages.

In this 20-minute video presentation from the PHII 2023 Data Modernization workshop, Piper Hale, former PHII Associate Director of Communications, provides considerations on how to craft data modernization messages. The video weaves in examples from another PHII toolkit developed in 2016, in collaboration with the Frameworks Institute. The Reframing Public Health Informatics: A Communications Toolkit gives tools to explain what informatics is, why it is important and how it aligns with other roles across public health.

Toolkit downloads and links

Communicating the value of data modernization: A checklist for crafting messages

In response to feedback from data modernization teams, PHII developed this resource to support the translation of complex topics into tailored messages, particularly for non-technical audiences. This document provides a list of recommendations, cautions and suggested actions to consider when crafting messages related to public health data modernization activities. It includes a jargon crosswalk and sample elevator pitches for various audiences using plain language.

Data Modernization Tactical Guide: Strengthening Data Modernization through Collaboration and Partnerships

This guide outlines various partners and how they engage in the data modernization space. It can help teams consider partner needs and tailor messages to specific audiences. This resource is part of ASTHO's Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides designed to assist state health officials in understanding the various aspects of public health data modernization.

"When tailoring messages, it is about really sitting down and mapping who are the people I am trying to reach, what do they care about, what are their values and what will speak to them ... and then framing messages to say, "Here's why this matters, here's why this will ultimately help the population you serve and/or make your job easier."

— Paraphrased from PHII staff member

Oregon Coaltion of Local Health Officials Public Health Modernization Communication Toolkit

This toolkit, developed in 2015 by the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, provides resources to build community support for Oregon's public health modernization efforts, which began prior to the nationwide data modernization efforts. While this toolkit is targeted to local public health in one specific state, the adaptable messages and plain language suggestions for technology terms can serve as examples for current efforts across the public health ecosystem.

Louisiana State Epidemiologist Testimony on behalf of CSTE to U.S. House Appropriations Committee

This transcript of testimony by Louisiana's State Epidemiologist provides a real-world example of how plain language and storytelling can convey the value of data modernization.