Communication, Advocacy, Literacy & Infodemiology in Public Health Curriculum: A European Perspective

Abstract   The COVID-19 pandemic emphasised the acute need for public health professionals to be skilled in communication and advocacy, to understand public health literacy challenges, and to understand the dynamics of infodemiology as the distribution of information in electronic media. As part of the development of the ASPHER Core Curriculum for Public Health, a scoping exercise of subject areas delivered in academic public health programmes was conducted through a survey of member Schools and Institutes of Public Health in Europe. Respondents were invited to share indicative content of their curricula in areas of expertise. A combined total of 28/54 (52%) member schools and institutes indicated expertise in aspects of communication, advocacy, public health literacy and/or infodemiology. Specifically, 35% indicated content in communication and advocacy; 30% in public health literacy, with just 17% addressing infodemiology. Core curricular concept maps have been developed to profile specific themes and topics within the four areas outlined. Subject specific surveys on content and delivery level were carried out and a final review by expert advisory groups developed the current curriculum. Recognising that not all programmes may be in a position to offer these important speciality areas, consideration should be given to collating existing training materials and tools, and sharing information and expertise through online platforms so that these subjects can be included in public health curricula. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread distribution of public health information and advice on social media platforms demonstrated both the benefits and threats of this modality of communication. Incorporating the skills of communication and advocacy with recognition of audience health literacy, means that public health professionals need to become conversant and comfortable with current and future methods of dissemination of public health messages and their content. Key messages • COVID-19 exposed the urgent need for public health professionals skilled in communication, advocacy, health literacy, and infodemiology. • ASPHER’s Core Curriculum calls for stronger communication and literacy training, using shared tools and platforms, in response to lessons from COVID-19.