FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 30, 2006

Health Department campaign helps prepare residents for pandemic influenza

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department is launching the Pandemic Preparedness: Learn to Live campaign, its newest outreach program initiative.

It is designed to meet the community's need for targeted education and outreach about the threat of pandemic influenza. It provides information to help residents prepare for a pandemic.

"We recognize the need for an aggressive, cohesive and consistent strategy in communicating the importance of preparing for pandemic influenza," said Bert Malone, acting deputy director of the Health Department.

The campaign will be introduced to more than 3,000 businesses, schools and community groups in Kansas City, Mo., through a mass mailing encouraging recipients to engage in this call for action. The campaign will include brochures, fact sheets, pandemic influenza planning guides and a Web site (www.kcmo.org/health.nsf/web/flu) that enables residents to assess their levels of readiness.

"Our goal is to take a very complex public health issue and provide relevant, clear-cut, compelling information," said Merideth Parrish, the campaign's coordinator. "By equipping businesses, schools, community groups and families with the materials and the support they need, we can all work together to protect ourselves and minimize the impact of pandemic influenza."

For more information about the Health Department's Learn to Live campaign, call Merideth Parrish, Health Department, (816) 513-6120.