Training for public information officers in communication to reduce health disparities: a needs assessment.

Government public information officers and risk communicators bear the burden for reaching all Americans with public health and emergency messages. To assess needs specifically regarding communication to reduce health disparities, an Internet survey is made available to members of the National Public Health Information Coalition. Respondents are asked to rate their own needs at their level of organizational responsibility as well as the needs of staff whom they may be supervising on 25 communication and cultural competencies. Multicultural understanding, culturally appropriate message development, and ways to better collaborate with diverse populations are identified as communication competencies in which more training is especially needed.