Welcome

Prevention is key to end COVID-19.

And it’s all we are focused on.

More, we are fighting the virus on many fronts. And our efforts include providing information tools and community out-reach. Prevention is the only way to stop it. And that is our focus. We roll up our sleeves and work to get people to take key steps.  We encourage those who know what to do to keep doing it.  And we use different methods to reach those who aren’t.  We are not a big organization.  But we work hard and have a large impact.

Additionally, we will continue this fight in the future. And we will support long-term research.  Consequently, our goal is to prevent the next pandemic.

HealthMessages.org
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3). And we informally launched in 2017. But we incorporated in late 2019 to directly take on COVID-19. Thus, We are the first organization launched specifically to do do.

Health messages are key. They protect health and save lives. Moreover, we support this information with smart tools and powerful resources.

Our approach is cutting edge. We do not just provide messages.  But we support them, too.  We use smart tools, resources and community out-reach.  In fact, this has more impact with lasting change.  

HealthMessages.org. “Health” relates to public health, safety and security. It can include issues like cybersecurity. “Messages” is a mandate to provide a wide spectrum of information to promote health literacy. But it can include action such as providing critical safety supplies. “Org” means that we are a nonprofit 501(c(3). We are here to support public health and promote health literacy efforts.

For 2021, we will focus 100% on COVID-19.  But in the long-term, we will broaden our focus and take on a wider spectrum of public health issues.  

Health and safety are vital. Our long-term mission is to give a voice to a wide spectrum of public health emergencies.  And to put a spotlight on emerging and underserved issues.

One of our key mandates is to bolster government health efforts.  And today we achieve this by focusing on COVID-19.

Our mission is to take on new and overlooked public health issues.  More, that means focusing only on the virus for the next year. But eventually, we will tackle other issues, too.

More, research has shown that for health messages to become adopted, they need support. And the best approach to achieve this is to build them into the system.

Furthermore, it is also our mission to forge relations with our peers.  And to deliver valuable tools to support their critical work.  

“Health messages are key
to keep us healthy and safe”

Objectivity

We are not attached to any specific issue or cause.  But instead, we take on multiple issues.  And with each intervention, we will custom develop solutions.  

More, we achieve this by deploying powerful tools and methods from the field of health communications.  

Thus, we are not dependent on an issue remaining an issue.  But instead, we are motivated to find lasting solutions.  Moreover, we believe this approach is more objective and effective.  And thus, is more impactful for public health in the long term.

Independent Interventions

One of our main goals is to identify emerging and under-served issues.  But some may be unknown and not yet identified. And further, to foster and inspire action around those issues.

It is difficult to predict the next health crisis.  But we are prepared for a call to action.  And are ready to deploy resources quickly.

Health Literacy and Support

Knowledge is power. First, to support health literacy and foster change, we build and maintain online tools.  Second, these critical tools are regularly improved and updated.

Building Smart Tools

Next, change begins by building the right tools. And we in part achieve this by following these key steps:

• Identify and research the issue
• Identify support tools
• Design and build support tools
• Test and deploy support tools
• Maintain and update the platform
• Build online community support
• Inspire others to foster change

“Health messages are more
effective with support. We
provide that support”.

Impact

More, health messages are more effective with support.  And our tools provide that support.

Objectivity, Independence and Approach

Next, we achieve this by remaining independent and objective. Equally important, our solutions are science-based.

Last, our approach is influenced by the field of urban planning.  And we believe in the integration of health solutions within the system.

On November 27, 2019, our Board took action. Namely, they were concerned by the data on the new SARS strain (today, COVID-19).  As a background, we formed in 2017. But we incorporated when we saw the potential for a pandemic, in December, 2019. And the Internal Revenue Service quickly approved our non-profit status as a 501(c)(3). It was granted on January 23, 2020. Thus, it fell just three days after the first case was detected on U.S. soil. 

In February, 2020 we were one of the first non-medical organizations to hand out masks. Consequently, they are a key preventative measure against the virus.  And we continue promoting them today. 

Also in February, 2020 we created and handed out paper flyers on the virus. In particular, it focused on the history of the SARS virus first found about 20 years ago.

Then in March, 2020 we met with members of isolated communities. Some do not have access to the internet or mass media. And we informed them about the virus and we preventative steps.

First, in January, 2020 we began conducting broad, informal surveys on masks. And this also was outside the United States.

Next, in February, 2020, we began taking surveys on masks in the United States. And we continue these surveys today. Our primary focus is in rural communities. The data are important. In fact, it is key to focusing campaigns and resources.

And we also continue identifying key data sources to help us achieve this. 

Meanwhile, we continue making key message discoveries today. Our research has identified message gaps. And we work to close these gaps.

We have developed on the ground campaigns and strategies. We are in the process of implementing them.

In early 2020, key medical supplies such were running low. To support future supply-chain issues, we established warehousing, logistics and shipping near several large cities. This system can be used if a similar shortage arises.

Our COVID-19 focus will continue past 2021. Furthermore, there will be an even stronger need for this support in 2021. Preventative measures will need to be continued. And it will be necessary to support vaccination literacy, too.

For the next year, we will focus only on COVID-19. But starting in 2022 and beyond, we will focus on other issues, too.

The Internet is a powerful tool.  And we plan to harvest this power to foster health literacy.  Namely,  we will build platforms for underserved and emerging public health issues.  More, this guide looks at how they work.

Top Photograph by Pixabay, Middle photo by Ketut Subiyant And bottom photo by MentatDGT