Citation

Aldoory L, Bonzo SE. Inj. Prev. 2005; 11(5): 260-263.

Affiliation

Department of Communication, University of Maryland, 2130 Skinner Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA; laldoory@umd.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2004.007104

PMID

16203832

PMCID

PMC1730272

Abstract

Dozens of communication campaigns have been designed and implemented on local, state, and federal levels for purposes of reducing injury related risks and rates of injuries (including both unintentional injury and intentional injury resulting from violence). However, practitioners rarely turn to communication research and theory in order to design and implement campaigns. Theory driven research and literature from the communication disciplines can provide useful insight into campaign development. After extensive and detailed review of communication research that addressed injury prevention campaigns, we developed guidelines that may improve the results of campaigns that use communication tools for purposes of reducing injury rates in the US. Communication campaigns are designed for a relatively well defined and large audience, and they typically are limited to a given time period.