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. 2025 Jun 3:13:1594833.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1594833. eCollection 2025.

Lessons learned: enhancing rural risk communication for future health crises through the PHERCC framework

Abimbola Leslie  1 , Elizabeth K Woods  1 , Eline M van den Broek-Altenburg  1 , Gary S Stein  1 , Jan K Carney  1
Affiliations

Lessons learned: enhancing rural risk communication for future health crises through the PHERCC framework

Abimbola Leslie et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the critical role of effective risk communication in managing crises. The Public Health Emergency Risk and Crisis Communication framework (PHERCC) provides a structured approach to crafting, delivering, and refining public health messages to build trust, promote compliance, and enhance societal resilience.

Methods: This qualitative study examined COVID-19 risk communication strategies in rural Northern New England using the PHERCC framework. Data were collected through seventeen stakeholder interviews, seven focus groups, and a pilot study conducted between November 2022 and March 2023. Stakeholders represented state and local organizations, while focus group participants included rural residents. A thematic analysis using NVivo software aligned findings with the six PHERCC domains: Evidence, Initiator, Channel, Publics, Message, and Feedback.

Results: Stakeholders emphasized transparency in public health messaging, adapting to evolving evidence while maintaining consistency. Trusted local sources and traditional media were essential for reaching vulnerable populations, particularly older adults in rural areas. Public feedback highlighted barriers such as misinformation, translation challenges, and limited internet access. The pilot study confirmed that community collaboration and tailored messaging increased understanding and trust among rural residents. Simplified accessible core messages and consistent updates further enhanced public engagement.

Conclusion: This study shows the importance of evidence-based, adaptive, and population subgroup sensitive communication during public health emergencies. The PHERCC framework proved instrumental in addressing challenges, promoting trust, and refining strategies. Investing in inclusive communication systems and leveraging community partnerships are important for effective responses to future health crises.

Keywords: PHERCC framework; health communication; health equity; public health emergency; public health messaging; risk communication; stakeholder engagement.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PHERCC framework.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flyer for pilot study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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