Dissemination Methods

Once the dissemination audience for rural substance use disorder (SUD) programs is identified, there are a variety of ways to share the content. Common dissemination methods and formats include print or digital media, mass media, and meetings and conferences.

Print or Digital Media

• Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Newsletters
• Fact sheets, infographics, posters, and flyers
• Project or evaluation manuals with detailed information other communities can use to replicate the program
• Webinars
• Video
• Social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, or X)
• Websites (for example, local task force and consortium websites)

Mass Media

• Media campaigns/toolkits such as:
  • Recovery Month
  • Generation Rx Project
  • The North Dakota Lock. Monitor. Take Back. Campaign
  • Good Drugs Gone Bad
  • Up and Away and Out of Sight
  • Above the Influence
• Press conferences or releases to major newspapers and media outlets in specific counties at regular intervals
• Local news media programs, including television and radio (such as public service announcements for naloxone trainings and neighborhood meetings targeting first responders and community members)

Meetings and Conferences

• Neighborhood meetings
• Annual NALBOH Conference (National Association of Local Boards of Health)
• Annual Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Meeting and Policy Summit
• Annual American Public Health Association Meeting and Expo
• International Drug Policy Reform Conference
• Public Health Law Conference
• Prevention of Youth Substance Abuse Conference
• Rx and Illicit Drug Summit
• Annual Rural Health Conference
• National Harm Reduction Conference
• National Association of Community Health Centers Community Health Institute (CHI) and Expo
• Regional conferences, including:
  • Colorado Health Symposium
  • Regional conventions held in the Northwest for Community Health Centers (CHAMPS/NWRPCA)

Resources to Learn More

Focus on Prevention: Strategies and Programs to Prevent Substance Use
Document
Assists communities in a variety of settings with planning and implementing substance use prevention strategies. Covers the importance of forming partnerships, establishing a target audience, conducting needs assessment, engaging in social marketing, and using media and social media.
Organization(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Date: 3/2017

Rural Communities in Crisis: Strategies to Address the Opioid Crisis
Document
Describes the importance of disseminating rural relevant evidence-based practices to rural communities. Suggests engaging State Rural Health Associations (SRHAs) and State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) to aid in dissemination efforts.
Author(s): Gale, J.
Organization(s): National Rural Health Association
Date: 4/2016