Episode #430 Communicating Public Health with Elizabeth Green, PhD
- Laura Hollabaugh
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
In this insightful episode, Dr. Charlotte Huntley welcomes Elizabeth Green, Communications Director at the Big Cities Health Coalition, for a deep dive into the art and science of public health communication. Elizabeth brings a unique perspective with her background as a history of science professor and public health communications expert.
They explore how to tell compelling public health stories that connect emotionally and intellectually with audiences, overcome jargon and misinformation, and advocate effectively for funding and policy. Elizabeth shares real-world examples like Milwaukee’s lead crisis, discusses language research on harm reduction, and highlights the importance of diverse storytelling styles to build trust and support. This episode offers invaluable guidance on communicating public health’s critical role with clarity, empathy, and impact.
Meet Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is communications director at the Big Cities Health Coalition, a coalition of lead health officials from 35 of the largest cities in the U.S. Previously an academic historian of science, Elizabeth has spent the last 15 years focusing on communications to promote social justice and public health.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Elizabeth’s career journey from history of science professor to public health communications director bridges social justice and science communication.
Effective public health communication requires translating complex ideas into relatable, jargon-free stories that resonate with different audiences.
Media advocacy is challenging but essential; success stories like Milwaukee’s lead paint scandal show the power of timely, well-framed narratives.
Messaging research confirms that emphasizing saving lives and providing pathways to recovery increases public support for harm reduction policies.
Storytelling in public health can be personal or bold and factual—different audiences and contexts call for different storytelling styles.
Encouraging public health workers to start with their personal “why” helps unleash authentic storytelling and stronger engagement.
Supporting city health departments with communication training and fostering collaboration among public information officers improves outreach effectiveness.
“People really invest in individuals as authorities, so personal stories build trust like nothing else.” – Elizabeth Green
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Public Health Consulting To Support You
DrCHHuntley LLC is a public health consulting firm that specializes in epidemiology consulting, supporting large nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also provide nationwide public health consulting and epidemiology consulting support to BIPOC organizations across the United States.