Board stresses plain-language messaging as health staff expand outreach and workforce efforts

Board members and department leaders discussed messaging strategies and community outreach after technical presentations on vaccines and surveillance.

Board feedback and messaging approach: Some board members said technical slides showing variant lineages are hard for the general public to interpret and requested clearer, practical guidance: “If somebody goes to that site, they're curious, but it needs to mean something to them,” one member said. In response, health department staff said public‑facing materials will use simplified language and emphasize “how do you stay safe?” rather than variant names; staff described a local campaign called “Be Well, stay well.”

Workforce development and community partnerships: The health director summarized recent workforce development efforts, including two forums and formation of four committees focused on social determinants, career pathways, workforce attraction and information/collaboration. She said the committees will meet starting Sept. 27 at Cochise College and that the county received a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation to support a “keep care local” campaign encouraging primary care in Cochise County.

Public‑facing materials: Staff said they will post simple, actionable graphics on rabies, lice and flu prevention, provide clinic schedules and lists of vaccine locations, and use the vaccine equity team for outreach at public events.

Bottom line: The board emphasized translation of technical surveillance and variant information into direct, nontechnical guidance about risk reduction and where to get vaccines and care; staff described concrete outreach and workforce steps to support those goals.