title: Effectiveness of public health messaging and communication channels during smoke events: A rapid systematic review.
abstract: Exposure to smoke emitted from wildfire and planned burns (i.e., smoke events) has been associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including respiratory symptoms and conditions. This rapid review investigates recent evidence (post-2009) regarding the effectiveness of public health messaging during smoke events. The objectives were to determine the effectiveness of various communication channels used and public health messages disseminated during smoke events, for general and at-risk populations. A search of 12 databases and grey literature yielded 1775 unique articles, of which 10 were included in this review. Principal results were: 1) Smoke-related public health messages are communicated via a variety of channels, but limited evidence is available regarding their effectiveness for the general public or at-risk groups. 2) Messages that use simple language are more commonly recalled, understood, and complied with. Compliance differs according to socio-demographic characteristics. 3) At-risk groups may be advised to stay indoors before the general population, in order to protect the most vulnerable people in a community. The research included in this review was observational and predominantly descriptive, and is therefore unable to sufficiently answer questions regarding effectiveness. Experimental research, as well as evaluations, are required to examine the effectiveness of modern communication channels, channels to reach at-risk groups, and the 'stay indoors' message.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia. Electronic address: fish0133@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.affiliation: The Joanna Briggs Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Lvl 3, 55 King William Rd (Norwich House), North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia.
authors.forename: Micah D J
authors.initials: MDJ
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Imogen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, 202 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood, South Australia 5063, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sharplin
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, 202 Greenhill Rd, Eastwood, South Australia 5063, Australia.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Corsini
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eckert
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012906:Smoke
chemical_list: D012906:Smoke
keywords: Fire; Information dissemination; Messages; Public health; Risk communication; Smoke