Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40538684›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

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

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

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Abimbola LeslieLarner College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.
Elizabeth K WoodsLarner College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.
Eline M van den Broek-AltenburgLarner College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.
Gary S SteinLarner College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.
Jan K CarneyLarner College of Medicine University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.

Funding

Understanding Factors Influencing COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination in Immigrant Low-income and Homeless Populations and Testing Targeted InterventionsU54GM115516 · NIGMS · MAINEHEALTH · PI Frances E. Carr · 2017 to 2026
$51.6M
NIGMS NIH HHS U54 GM115516
6 · The paper itself

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.

Indexed as

CommunicationCOVID-19Health CommunicationPublic HealthRural PopulationAdultFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleNew EnglandPilot ProjectsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2health communicationhealth equityPHERCC frameworkpublic health emergencypublic health messagingrisk communicationstakeholder engagement

Identifiers

PMID40538684
PMCPMC12177165

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.