Rapid Public Health Communication in an Austere Setting: Demonstrating the Ability of Off-the-Shelf Apps to Communicate Public Health Information.

Abstract

Timely implementation to contain infectious diseases (e.g., quarantine, contact tracing, isolation) is critical to curb transmission and safeguard the health and readiness of U.S. Servicemembers. This proactive approach ensures that mission-critical operations remain unaffected. We focus on the collaborative efforts of Servicemembers from the 351st Civil Affairs Command during the Salaknib 2023 exercise in the Philippines. These SMs harnessed readily available cell phone applications to deliver rapid and effective public health messaging, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Targeted infographics were created and disseminated through mobile apps widely used by the population. The infographics were powerful tools for conveying critical, visually engaging information, facilitating rapid understanding and compliance with recommended health measures.