1162: Rebuilding Public Trust Through Storytelling

What happens when a public health agency decides to step out from behind the scenes and tell its own story?  Jerome Larkin, ASTHO member and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, talks about the department’s “Better State of Healthy” campaign, an effort to help residents better understand the role public health plays in their everyday lives. The campaign highlights the people behind public health and the services that support Rhode Islanders every day.  Dr. Larkin discusses the audience research that revealed widespread uncertainty about what health departments actually do, despite generally high levels of trust in the agency. The conversation explores how personal storytelling, community connections, and a diverse workforce can help bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen relationships with residents.Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Improvement | ASTHOPolicy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs