October 3, 2007

Little Rock -- The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has been recognized by the National Public Health Information Coalition for its efforts in promoting and communicating with Arkansans about their health. In a ceremony held in Baltimore, MD on September 26th, the agency received thirteen awards for releases, websites, print media, radio and television used in various campaigns last year.

Dr. Paul Halverson, ADH Director, said, “We are honored to be recognized nationally for public health communication efforts. Health communication is one of the Department’s most important functions at the state and local level. Through communication efforts, ADH alerts Arkansans to disease outbreaks, water safety notices and the importance of childhood immunizations, among other things. I am very proud of our colleagues and their excellent work.”

States compete on a level playing field for NPHIC awards recognizing excellence in public health communications. Each award category (annual reports, news releases, Internet home pages, video projects, and the like) has two divisions: those produced totally in-house and those produced with the assistance of an outside agency. Only voting, associate and organizational NPHIC members may submit entries.

The National Public Health Information Coalition is an independent organization of professionals organized to share best practices and improve America's health through public health communications. NPHIC senior public health information officers participate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public and private agencies to promote health and prevent disease, identify methods to improve communications among members, and communicate with and through the news media to promote greater understanding and awareness of public health issues.

Gold
Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Feature Placement Program
Category Title: News Releases

Name: Barbara Hager
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health, BreastCare Program
Title of Entry: Women’s Health Update
Category Title: Newsletters

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Teen Prevention Advertising
Category Title: Media Awards Television

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Teen Prevention Advertising Category
Title: Media Awards Radio

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Black is Beautiful
Category Title: Radio Marketing Out-Sourced

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Teen Prevention Advertising
Category Title: Print Media

Bronze
Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Tobacco Prevention in Arkansas Progress Report
Category Title: Annual Reports and Other Major Reports

Name: LaTonya Steward, BRFSS Survey Coordinator
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Arkansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Website Category: Internet Websites

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: SOS E-newsletter
Category Title: Newsletters

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: Stamp Out Smoking (School Banners)
Category Title: Posters

Name: Jennifer Norman, Arkansas Department of Health Karen Williams, Citadel Broadcasting Co.
Title of Entry: Diabetes is a Serious Problem
Category Title: Radio Marketing In-House

Name: Stamp Out Smoking
Agency: Arkansas Department of Health
Title of Entry: “The Big Pitch”
Category Title: Special Audio/Visual Projects

###