Be an active part of improving public health by joining this campaign! When you reach out to your health department and fill out this form, your effort will be recognized and added to the campaign map. Ask others to join this effort to help us maximize participation.

About the Health Department Outreach Campaign

The Health Department Outreach Campaign is centered around a community-led call to action. Across the country, people are looking for trusted, science-based health guidance — yet public trust in federal agencies like the CDC and FDA has eroded due to messaging that is inconsistent with the science and recommendations that harm public health.

Local health departments and community organizations are uniquely positioned to restore trust and keep people safe. This campaign empowers individuals and organizations to urge their local health departments to launch stronger infection prevention messaging and programs that better serve their communities. 

The power of this campaign is in our collective participation! We ask that everyone connect with their local city, county, and/or state health departments and… 

1. Applaud them for whatever good work they are doing
2. Use WHN’s email templates below to ask them to improve on that work by sharing science-based messaging and programs on infection prevention (masking, vaccinating, isolating, testing, cleaning the air, etc.)
3. Reference WHN materials as examples
4. Once you have contacted your health department, let us know you participated by filling out this form. Once you do, we will add a pin on our map acknowledging your participation!

While this campaign is modelled off of the US, we encourage people globally to participate in this campaign by engaging with their health departments or equivalent organizations. 

Why This Matters

• Trust is local. People turn to local health departments and community organizations for health information they can rely on.
• Federal gaps, local action. Where national guidance has faltered, local leaders can step up and fill the gap with strong, evidence-based programs.
• Community power. Change happens when people speak up. Health departments respond to community needs when they know the demand is there.
• Prevention saves lives. Clear infection prevention messaging — about air quality, masking, vaccination, and staying home when sick — protects everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Take Action: Contact Your Health Department

Your voice matters. You can help by urging your local health department to strengthen infection prevention efforts. 

Here’s a template email you can copy, personalize, and send:

Subject: Strengthening Public Health Messaging

Dear [Health Department Leader/Commissioner’s Name],

I am writing as a concerned member of our community to ask that the [County/City/State] Health Department take proactive steps to strengthen airborne infection prevention messaging and programs.

As public trust in federal health agencies has declined, our community relies even more on local leadership to provide clear, evidence-based information. We urgently need stronger communication and initiatives around:

• Respirator masking in healthcare and public settings
• Vaccination access and education
• Indoor air quality and ventilation
• Regular COVID testing
• Avoiding crowds and crowded spaces, especially during COVID surges

Our community needs continued messaging surrounding the ongoing threat of acute COVID, Long COVID, and other infectious diseases like measles and avian flu.

COVID infection can result in long-term health effects such as Long COVID, major organ damage, and adverse outcomes related to immune dysregulation, cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and more. This can result in disability, which has long-term personal and economic consequences that magnify disparities among our communities. 

By taking these steps, [County/City/State] Health Department can build trust, protect all of us (especially the most vulnerable), and keep our community healthy. 

I look forward to following up by phone/email to learn more about next steps (and see how I can help).

Thank you for your dedication to public health.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information, optional]

Here are some helpful resources from the World Health Network:
https://whn.global/yes-we-continue-wearing-masks/
https://whn.global/template-for-letter-to-healthcare-institutions/
https://whn.global/guidelines/masks/
https://whn.global/the-airborne-paradigm-shift-a-flyer-for-healthcare/
https://whn.global/the-time-has-come-for-clean-indoor-air/
https://whn.global/declaration-regarding-airborne-virus-infection/
https://whn.global/getting_infected_in_the_hospital/
https://whn.global/importance-of-systemic-public-health-measures-to-mitigate-airborne-infections/
https://whn.global/whn-joins-in-the-chorus-medical-masks-are-not-ppe/

Share the Campaign

This movement grows when we spread the word within and beyond our own communities. Here’s how you can help:

• Share on social media: Post about the Health Department Outreach Campaign and encourage friends and family to join.
• Talk to your community: Bring this campaign to schools, workplaces, unions, faith groups, and neighborhood associations.
• Recruit allies: Ask local organizations to amplify the campaign by sharing it in newsletters, email lists, and meetings.

👉 Together, we can rebuild trust in public health — from the ground up.

Call to Action

✅ Send an email to your local health department today
✅ Share this campaign with people in your community, and friends and family who live elsewhere.
✅ Help us amplify this effort by spreading the word online

How to Identify the Right People—and Reach Out (Step by Step)

Step 1: Prep 

• Know your jurisdiction (city/town, county, state, or tribal health department).
• Have the campaign email template handy.
• Gather 1–2 links you’ll include (see WHN resources listed in Step 3).

Step 2: Identify Who to Contact

Health departments may have different points of contact. Consider contacting people with roles related to public health messaging or infection prevention guidance. 

Target roles most likely to influence infection-prevention messaging and programs include:

• Health Officer / Health Commissioner / Director
• Communicable Disease / Respiratory Health / Epidemiology Lead
• Emergency Preparedness / Public Health Preparedness Coordinator
• Public Information Officer (PIO) / Communications Director
• Community Engagement / Health Equity / Partnerships Lead
• Environmental Health / Air Quality (for ventilation/IAQ work)
• School & Healthcare Liaisons (if listed)

Where to find them (fast):

• Visit your local health department website to find email addresses of individuals in the roles listed above
• If no emails are listed, look for a general inbox (e.g., info@…, health@…) or a contact form.
• Utilize “Contact Us” form on your local health department’s website 
• Use NACCHO website to find contact information for your city or state health department
  

Step 3: Send the Email (copy/paste + personalize)

Use the template email already on this page (open your email client).

• Swap in local references (e.g., your county name, a recent community event).
• Add 1–2 concrete requests (e.g., “publish masking and ventilation guidance for indoor settings like schools and homes.” 
• Reference WHN resources
  • https://whn.global/yes-we-continue-wearing-masks/ 
  • https://whn.global/template-for-letter-to-healthcare-institutions/
  • https://whn.global/guidelines/masks/
  • https://whn.global/the-airborne-paradigm-shift-a-flyer-for-healthcare/
  • https://whn.global/the-time-has-come-for-clean-indoor-air/
  • https://whn.global/declaration-regarding-airborne-virus-infection/
  • https://whn.global/getting_infected_in_the_hospital/
  • https://whn.global/importance-of-systemic-public-health-measures-to-mitigate-airborne-infections/
  • https://whn.global/whn-joins-in-the-chorus-medical-masks-are-not-ppe/

Strong subject lines:

• “Request: Strengthen local infection-prevention messaging”
• “Community request: Air quality, masking, and vaccination outreach”
• “Partnering to protect [County/City] from respiratory illness transmission”

Step 4: Follow-Up Plan (light but consistent)

• Day 0: Send initial email.
• Day 7: Send a short follow-up (see template below).
• Day 14: Call the main line or program office; ask for the best contact and timeline.
• Day 21: If needed, escalate politely: cc the PIO, a program chief, or the Board of Health clerk/secretary (if listed), or elected officials.

Step 5: Additional Channels (use any that exist)

• Recruit other community members (friends, family, neighbors, etc.) to participate in this campaign – there is strength in numbers!
• Contact form on the department’s site (paste your email).
• 311 / General information line (ask for the correct email).
• Public meeting comment (Board of Health agenda often has public comment—submit a 1–2 minute statement).
• Community partners (clinic coalitions, school nurses’ associations, senior centers) to co-sign or amplify.
  

Short Follow-Up Email 

Subject: Following up: Airborne Infection-prevention outreach for [County/City/State]

Hello [Name/Team],

I’m following up on my note from [date] about strengthening airborne infection-prevention messaging and programs in [County/City]. We’re eager to support efforts on ventilation/air quality, respirator masking in healthcare and public settings, vaccination access, and clear stay-home-when-sick guidance.

Could you share:

1. Who is the best contact for this, and
   
2. Whether there’s an upcoming plan or timeline?

I am /We are happy to provide examples, community feedback, and partners. Thank you for your time and service.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Town/Neighborhood]
[Optional: contact information]

Quick Call / Voicemail Script (Day 14)

“Hi, my name is [Name]. I live in [City/County]. I’m calling to ask who handles infection-prevention messaging and programs—especially ventilation, masking in healthcare/public settings, vaccination access, and stay-home-when-sick guidance. I emailed on [date] and would love to connect with the right person or team. You can reach me at [email/phone]. Thank you!”

If You Can’t Find Email Addresses

• Use the general inbox or contact form and ask for the appropriate contact and email.
• Call the main line and request the PIO or program lead’s email.

Be Respectful, Be Specific, Be Persistent

• Keep a positive, solutions-oriented tone.
• Ask for specific next steps and timeline.
• Log responses; if you get a “no,” ask what would help or when to revisit.

Let us know that you joined our campaign!

Once you have contacted your local health department, complete this short form so we can add your efforts to our map! This will help us to track the success of the Health Department Outreach Campaign and acknowledge you for your effort. This campaign is about everyone collectively making a difference to improve public health messaging. We are excited to have you join us in this effort! 

Other WHN efforts you can join:

Help normalize respirator masking by sharing a masked selfie here.

Download or upload educational/awareness graphics to share online or print and post to local bulletin boards.