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. 2015 Mar:44:239-44.
doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.12.044. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Improving understanding, promoting social inclusion, and fostering empowerment related to epilepsy: Epilepsy Foundation public awareness campaigns--2001 through 2013

P Price  1 , R Kobau  2 , J Buelow  3 , J Austin  4 , K Lowenberg  3
Affiliations

Improving understanding, promoting social inclusion, and fostering empowerment related to epilepsy: Epilepsy Foundation public awareness campaigns--2001 through 2013

P Price et al. Epilepsy Behav. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

It is a significant public health concern that epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder in the United States, is generally poorly understood by both the public and those living with the condition. Lack of understanding may magnify the challenges faced by those with epilepsy, including limiting treatment opportunities, effective management of symptoms, and full participation in daily life activities. Insufficient awareness of epilepsy and appropriate seizure first aid among the public and professionals can result in insufficient treatment, inappropriate seizure response, physical restraint, social exclusion, or other negative consequences. To address the need for increased public education and awareness about epilepsy, the national Epilepsy Foundation, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has conducted yearly multifaceted public education and awareness campaigns designed to reach the broad population and targeted segments of the population including youth, young adults, racial/ethnic groups (i.e., African-, Hispanic-, and Asian-Americans), and people with epilepsy and their caregivers. Campaign channels have included traditional media, social media, and community opinion leaders and celebrity spokespersons. The key activities of these campaigns, conducted from 2001 to 2013, are summarized in this report.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Health communication; Public awareness campaigns; Seizures; Stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

Patricia Price is supported by CDC through a contract with McKing and Associates, Atlanta, GA (RFP PR-73463).

Rosemarie Kobau has no conflicts to report.

Jan Buelow and Ken Lowenberg are employees of the Epilepsy Foundation. This publication was supported by cooperative agreement no. 5U58DP003832-03 from the CDC. The findings and conclusions in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Joan Austin has no conflicts to report.

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