Project Highlights
Pandemic Influenza/Avian Influenza
ORAU assists in identifying information, developing a structure, and facilitating the development of an interagency pandemic flu operational crisis communication plan on behalf of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (HHS ASPA), in conjunction with staff from the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The groups are taking the lead in developing an integrated interagency approach to crisis communication in the event of an influenza pandemic.
From media content analysis, workshop facilitation, to testing selected messages and reporting on results, ORAU has worked closely with the CDC to create and validate communications around this important topic.
Building on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Preparedness Table Exercise designed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ORAU is developing a Web-based needs assessment to identify additional training needs related to communicable diseases.
ORAU will then use the assessment to develop and conduct pandemic and avian tabletop exercises at pre-selected U.S. cities.
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
Prepared and maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ORAU conducts literature searches and prepares toxicological reviews and summaries of chemical substances through the IRIS electronic database.
The system contains information on human health effects that may result from exposure to various chemicals in the environment. ORAU manages this program on behalf of the EPA.
Immunization News for Managers (INFORM)
ORAU collects and analyzes hundreds of domestic and international news articles daily to deduce current trends in the reporting of disease and/or vaccine news. Currently, approximately 25,000 news articles are collected and analyzed per year.
On behalf of the CDC, ORAU helps to address emerging health issues and media misinformation, as well as develop key messages for the public. Through INFORM, a media analysis and message mapping project, ORAU helps the CDC to meet this need.
HIV/AIDS Outreach and Training
The National Library of Medicine’s HIV/AIDS outreach programs have benefited from ORAU’s training and materials development expertise for many years. ORAU’s support encompasses developing educational materials and training modules, providing community-based organizations with training focusing on HIV/AIDS, and representing NLM at national and International HIV/AIDS conferences.
In addition, it has required meeting the needs of a variety of audiences, including:
- the public
- researchers
- health care providers
- minority groups
- students.
