The work of preventive medicine, among all its actions, includes campaigns to combat epidemics. It is a necessary action because, even despite all the massive messages contained on the internet, TV and newspapers, misinformation is still a real problem.

Health plan operators, through their preventive medicine programs, need to pay attention to how to plan and produce effective prevention campaigns, in order to reach the largest number of users possible and put an end to the rumors and myths that always appear when a disease begins to spread, or even before it does.

To get an idea of how much rumors can help in the increase and dissipation of epidemics: in 2018 and 2019, helped by social media, a false idea was created that vaccines were harmful to health and that they only served to enrich society. pharmaceutical industry.

Given this, many parents decided not to vaccinate their children, risking the health of the child and themselves. The result: last year the measles campaign did not vaccinate even half of what was expected – just over 100,000 children were vaccinated. More than 820 thousand were not, according to data released by the Ministry of Health.

It is extremely dangerous and only a prevention campaign can help reduce and combat epidemics (and the lack of correct information). To do this, we have put together a small step-by-step guide on how preventative medicine can carry out a campaign to combat epidemics. Check out!

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DEFINING THE CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVE

Although the reason for an epidemic prevention campaign seems somewhat obvious, it is interesting to think further. Preventive medicine not only presents ways to avoid outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, but it also needs to be ready to demystify rumors, provide guidance on vaccines and their application periods and also on how to act in cases of infection.

Another necessary point to be analyzed is the reality of the society in which preventive medicine is inserted, remembering that there may be regions with little access to information and still having to deal with social groups that wildly share misleading messages.

With all this in mind, it becomes much easier to plan and implement the campaign schedule.

HOW TO PLAN AN EPIDEMIC PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

There are some topics to take into consideration when planning a specific campaign to combat epidemics.

The first of these is defining the target audience. Of course, in cases of epidemics, preventive medicine must work in favor of everyone, but there are so-called risk groups, which can be children, women or elderly people over 60 years of age. These groups, depending on the disease, may be more vulnerable to contagion than others and, therefore, information must be focused on these groups.

Once you have defined the audience to be reached, it is time to plan how and when the campaign will begin – and whether it will be permanent or for a specific period. As an example, we can mention the campaigns against flu, which take place in winter and prioritize children and the elderly. Measles also has its annual campaign, usually in the middle of the year, but it can be carried out at another time according to the operator's preference. However, it is known that, precisely due to misinformation, these campaigns have been intensified practically throughout the year.

To make things easier, it's a good idea to pay attention to the campaigns that the Ministry of Health launches, aligning the dates according to the government's planning.

And due to misinformation, the content must be strictly thought out, considering the region in which the municipality is located, presenting conclusive data on the possible increase in cases, symptoms, first aid, quarantines and isolations and basic care for everyday life.

This information must be presented in a didactic manner, with easy language so that there are no doubts. Otherwise, it may generate more questions than answers.

The new coronavirus epidemic, for example, has caused a certain “despair” in Brazil and the world. No need. Despite several suspected cases, there is no reason for such anxiety. On the other hand, it has been a struggle for preventive medicine programs to debunk absurd myths about the disease and also to disseminate information about how to prevent it.

Another very common example in Brazil is dengue fever. Every year, governments, associations and entities carry out an immense campaign to avoid the accumulation of water and prevent the creation of mosquitoes that transmit it, and yet cases of the disease continue to rise. In 2019, the number of registered dengue cases was the second highest in history, with more than 1.5 million people suffering from the disease.

Hence the extreme importance of preventive medicine and the creation of epidemic prevention campaigns, with accessible language and far-reaching dissemination.

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AND THE FURTHER THE REACH, THE MORE EFFECTIVE THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE

It's no secret that the internet is a powerful outreach tool. And it is extremely useful for promoting campaigns. Therefore, your health plan operator can and should use and abuse this means to reach a large number of people.

One of the great ideas for using the internet to promote campaigns to combat epidemics is the launch of hot sites or exclusive links and banners within the operator's website.

Therefore, content carefully dedicated and prepared to talk about epidemics should fill these pages, with tips, guidelines and dates, when necessary.

However, the campaign should not be just about the internet, because internet access is not yet 100% in Brazil. Another way to publicize the epidemic prevention campaign is by using advertisements on radio, television and printed newspapers, as well as creating brochures, banners, billboards and, if possible, having a street team (word of mouth is infallible). ) or sound cars to extend the range.

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