Expanding communication of acoustical knowledge around the globe: Examples of outreach and the use of social media

Abstract

For five decades, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has studied the effects of noise and disseminated public health information on hearing health. Today, the public expects greater transparency, responsiveness, and accountability, and organizations must respond with authenticity and engagement to maintain the public’s confidence. Social media channels have emerged as an effective platform for public health communication. While health communication specialists are integral to framing and delivering appropriate messages, scientists cannot remain disconnected from this process. Subject matter experts are uniquely positioned to leverage these tools to communicate their science directly to the public in a timely manner. This lecture will focus on NIOSH’s recent outreach and science communication efforts to reach the general public and include results of the Wiki4 Year Of Sound 2020 effort. This and several other examples are part of collaborative outreach activities with the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health and other governmental agencies, several professional organizations (including the Acoustical Society of America), and the World Health Organization. [The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.]