Public Affairs in Health (PAH)

From the Managing Editor: First Word

Welcome to the first issue of Public Affairs in Health (PAH). The specificity of the title of our new journal is deliberate. The discipline of public affairs covers a wide spectrum of government agencies, businesses, and organizations. This journal focuses on the work of the public affairs specialist in the field of public health. We recognize, however, that the position description for the latter is not universal and tasks and responsibilities vary depending on the mission and goals of the respective group that has oversight. But, the expected outcome for the work of these individuals is the same ― effective communication. From managing crises to annual immunization drives, the public affairs specialist in public health must craft the right health message, for the right audience, at the right time, via the right delivery mechanism.

PAH focuses on the practitioner ― how did the theory, idea, or hypothesis actually work in real-life, in real-time? PAH will highlight these activities and achievements in the categories of: “Best Practices,” “Original Research,” “Milestones in Public Health (M.P.H.)”, and “Essays.”

Despite the admirable work accomplished by these communication professionals, many of them still do not have a “seat” at the table when decisions are being made during a crisis or the early planning stages of a major public health initiative. This oversight may be due to the fact that: 1) public affairs specialists often don’t document their own work; and 2) while other public health disciplines have legitimate or implied leadership credentials, the role of the public affairs specialist is seen as supplementary or incidental. The lofty goal of PAH is to help correct the misconception that their role is secondary to the success of a public health campaign or event.

Finally, rest assured that we won’t “shoot the messenger!” Whether good news or bad news, we look forward to reading and sharing your stories from the field.