Syphilis Elimination Communication Plan

This document lays out the communications goal, objectives, target audiences, and key strategies and tactics to support the National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States. It is based on a review of the literature on syphilis prevention and elimination; media coverage of the syphilis elimination program launch; key informant interviews; and meetings with CDC's communications staff from the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Office of the Director (OD), Division of STD Prevention (DSTD), and meetings of the DSTD Health Communications Working Group. It is important to keep in mind that the objectives, strategies, and tactics all relate to communications; the communication plan, while national in scope, focuses on the geographic areas with the most syphilis morbidity and where the potential for syphilis re-emergence is high; the communication plan must be dynamic and flexible to allow for changes over time; the strategies and tactics proposed are not exhaustive; and the implementation of the plan will require the commitment and involvement of many individuals and organizations. Steps in the health communication process are (1) planning and selecting strategies, (2) selecting channels and materials, (3) developing materials and pretesting, (4) implementing the program, (5) assessing the program's effectiveness, and (6) refining the program based on feedback. Audiences targeted for communication include policymakers, health care providers and associations, and community representatives, and key strategies for elimination are expanded surveillance and outbreak response activities, rapid screening in and out of medical settings, expanded laboratory services, strengthened community involvement and agency partnerships, and enhanced health promotion.