Press Release
Media Contact: Charlotte McCormack
Silverlink Communications, Inc.
Tel: 781.425.5789
press@silverlink.com
New Poll Reveals a Majority of Americans View H1N1 as a Serious Health Hazard,
Yet Almost 70% Do Not Definitively Plan to Get the Vaccine
September 29, 2009
Majority of Americans look to the general media and Internet as the primary way to stay informed on H1N1. Silverlink's Outreach Solutions help health plans provide actionable information to Americans so they can make informed health decisions during flu season.
Burlington, MA - A majority (58%) of Americans believe that the H1N1 flu is a serious health hazard, according to a new survey released today by Silverlink Communications, Inc. This represents a marked increase as compared to May 2009, when 47% of Americans held this same perception of H1N1. While most Americans believe H1N1 is a serious health hazard, less than one-third (31%) of Americans plan on getting the H1N1 flu vaccine this year, with safety and efficacy of the vaccine cited as primary barriers for not getting the vaccine. Of particular concern, less than 27% of 18 to 24 year olds, a high risk group, plan on getting the H1N1 vaccine. The survey also reveals that the primary information source for H1N1 for Americans will be the general press, newspapers and TV, with 32% of Americans planning to source flu information from these sources. Even with the general press's continued coverage of this complex flu season, 23% of Americans are still unaware that there are two types of flu this year and 24% of Americans are unaware that there are two separate vaccines for the H1N1 and seasonal flu.
"We are entering a critical phase of the H1N1 flu season with schools now back in session and with the availability of the vaccine only a few weeks away," said Dr. Jan Berger, Chief Medical Officer at Silverlink. "Providing comprehensive, up-to-date information to all Americans about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines, how to prevent the spread of the flu, what to do if you or a family member becomes symptomatic, and then communicating that information effectively, are the critical factors to minimizing our country's health risks this flu season. Also, extra care should be taken to communicate with high-risk groups since those groups are different for the seasonal and H1N1 flu which could cause confusion as to who should get the vaccine."
"Health plans and population health companies must take a leadership role in proactively communicating this flu season," said Margot Walthall, Senior Director of Silverlink's Population Health Solutions. "With all the nuances in vaccine recommendations for the various segments of the population, there will inevitably be confusion and anxiety as we approach a possibly severe flu season. Educating consumers on the importance, availability, and priority targets of the two flu vaccines is a top priority for all health plans in the next six to 10 weeks. Also, in this economic environment, the health plans that have determined to cover the cost of the H1N1 flu vaccine should make sure high-risk groups know that."
To help healthcare enterprises effectively communicate with members this flu season, Silverlink, the leader in healthcare communications, is today announcing flu outreach solutions. These solutions proactively educate consumers about both seasonal and H1N1 flu by delivering timely, relevant, and population segment specific information on this global health issue. Outreach programs include interactive education about the seasonal and H1N1 flu, its symptoms and how it spreads; educating consumers on preventive actions to stay healthy including seasonal and H1N1 vaccine information; as well as providing consumers information on what to do to if they become symptomatic. In addition to these outreach programs, Silverlink also offers inbound communications solutions designed to quickly answer frequently asked questions (FAQ). The FAQ solution provides members with up-to-date flu and flu vaccine information, as well as plan-specific and localized prevention resources.
For more information on Silverlink's flu outreach services, please visit http://flu.silverlink.com. For the complete data set of Silverlink's H1N1 flu survey, please contact marketing@silverlink.com.
Silverlink H1N1 Survey Methodology
The H1N1 survey was conducted via an internet survey on September 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2009, with 1,502 adults across the United States. The survey sampling quotas were designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population in terms of age, gender and region, as described in the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 Current Population Survey. This research continues the ongoing pursuit of healthcare consumer insights by Silverlink Communications.
The 95% confidence interval for overall results is no more than 2.5% in either direction from what would have been obtained by polling all American adults. For smaller subgroups, the margin of sampling error is larger. In addition to sampling error, the practical difficulties of conducting any survey of public opinion may introduce other sources of error into the poll.
About Silverlink
Silverlink is the proven leader in engagement management technology for healthcare organizations. Our solutions enable health plans and other key stakeholders to engage and support their members in smarter and more effective ways. We deliver better control, coordination and effectiveness in member communications to promote healthy and loyal behaviors. To learn more about what makes Silverlink the leader in consumer health engagement, please visit www.silverlink.com, email info@silverlink.com, or call 1.781.425.5700.
