Dissemination Audiences

Rural substance use disorder (SUD) programs may choose to disseminate information to multiple audiences for multiple reasons. Some rural programs disseminate information about SUD in order to raise awareness about risk factors, treatment, and resources. For example, the San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center disseminated information to community members, providers, and other stakeholders about how to recognize symptoms of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone. Other rural programs disseminate information about program operations to enroll clients, or share program outcomes as a strategy to promote long-term sustainability and reduce stigma.

Rural SUD programs may consider developing a dissemination plan. A dissemination plan describes the type of information that will be shared, methods and formats for sharing information, and the audiences for dissemination.

Key audiences for disseminating information on rural SUD programs include:

Funders of rural SUD programs, such as federal agencies
Policymakers at the local, state, or federal level
Healthcare centers and clinics within the community
Local businesses and employers
State or local health departments
State or local human/social services departments
State offices of rural health
Local courts and police departments
State rural health organizations
General public/community members
Local counsel of commissioners
Local task forces
State advisory councils on injury and violence prevention

For a list of other key audiences for dissemination, see Methods of Dissemination in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.