The Prevention Communication Research Database (PCRD) is a searchable collection of audience research conducted or sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies. The PCRD highlights research findings that may not be widely known or published in peer-reviewed journals.


The PCRD e-Letter
Spring 2006

Are your contractors or grantees conducting audience research on HHS priority prevention topics? By submitting their research to the PCRD, you can help expand public resources for health communications.



Visit the PCRD at
http://www.health.gov/communication/

PCRD News: Innovative Resource Celebrates Two Years
Plans Underway to Enhance Online Visibility and Customer Service

Since its launch in April 2004, the Prevention Communication Research Database (PCRD) continues to attract thousands of users from government, business, non-profit, and educational organizations each year. An analysis of Web traffic data from February 2005 to January 2006 found that the PCRD attracts many repeat visitors — an average of 1900 visitors each month for a total of 6800 visits monthly.

To increase awareness of the PCRD as a resource for program planners, grantees, and contractors at the local, state, and national levels, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is initiating a Web linking program to urge key HHS agencies and state health departments to provide a hyperlink from their organization's site to the database.

A customer service survey will be initiated in April to evaluate and improve service to the thousands of health communications professionals and others using the database.


Spotlight on New Reports: Highlighting Youth Health Behaviors

The PCRD recently added three new reports on youth health and risk behaviors.

  • Summary of OWH Focus Group [on adolescent girls]: Web Modules and Poster Pretest (Office on Women's Health)
  • Youth Media Campaign: Summary of Interviews Regarding Kids with Disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Report of Focus Groups: Parenting Skills and Childhood Obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

HHS-sponsored or conducted audience research at the Federal and state levels is eligible for PCRD consideration and may be submitted directly to the PCRD Web site.


What people are saying about the PCRD

The PCRD provides free access to full-text HHS-sponsored audience research reports that will be of great interest to those charged with developing prevention programs. Many PCRD reports also include survey tools and related methodology that might otherwise be difficult and time-consuming to locate and obtain. This innovative resource is a treasure trove, filled with information for shaping audience research design, informing proposal development, and developing targeted health communications programs.

— Patricia Theiss, Public Health Program Analyst
& Coordinator, DC Healthy People 2010 Program



E-mail your questions or technical issues at: PCRD@osophs.dhhs.gov

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