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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Dissemination Methods for SDOH Programs

The best methods for sharing information about programs that address social determinants of health (SDOH) depend on the program type, goals, and intended audience for dissemination. Plans for dissemination should be made at the start of a program.

Several common methods of dissemination used by rural SDOH programs include:

  • Posters and oral presentations at conferences
  • Newspaper and print ads
  • Radio and TV ads
  • Direct (mailed) marketing
  • Webinars
  • Workshops and trainings
  • Social media
  • Sponsored events and other local events in the community
  • Personal contact and word of mouth
  • Online forums and websites
  • Referrals from within a healthcare setting

Using multiple dissemination approaches, including printed materials, in-person sharing of resources, and digital outreach, may be beneficial in rural communities where residents have cellular and broadband limitations.

Many programs note that personal contact and word of mouth are the best ways to share information in many rural communities. Staff involved in care coordination — for example, case managers, nurse educators, and patient navigators — are also often good resources for connecting or promoting different programs that address SDOH to their clients. Maintaining good partnerships throughout the community is also important for creating a referral base.

Using Data to Disseminate SDOH Program Information

Data can be a powerful tool for sharing information about rural SDOH programs. However, raw data can be difficult for the public to access and interpret. Rural program planners may choose to use data to create maps, charts, and other graphics to tell a story and visualize major takeaways from the data. Data visualizations may help engage rather than overwhelm the audience. Easy-to-understand graphics can be impactful for communicating the influence of SDOH on health. Maps are also powerful tools for making comparisons between communities in rural areas or between rural and urban counties.

There are several free online data visualization tools that can help rural communities make data publicly available. Most tools are user-friendly and either provide instruction videos for how to get started or provide links to free tutorials that can be found online.