For this messaging strategy practice exercise, you'll assume the role of a marketing consultant hired by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Your job is to design a public health messaging strategy. The CDC is the federal agency that conducts and supports health promotion, prevention, and preparedness activities in the United States, with the goal of improving overall public health. Their Vital Signs division publishes reports that highlight current health threats and how they can be addressed. You'll use these reports to complete this assignment.

Directions

Visit the CDC's Vital Signs website: https://www.cdc.gov/Vitalsigns/?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc and select a health issue that interests you. Design a messaging strategy for your chosen health issue using the Module Six Practice Exercise Template.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

2. Identify all appropriate target audiences for the issue using general demographic information as needed.
   • Think about the health issue you have chosen and who is impacted by that issue. Include all appropriate target audiences and relevant demographics such as age range, gender, fitness level, medical concerns, dietary needs, professions, and so on.
5. Create an appropriate and concise primary message regarding the issue for one of the identified target audiences.
7. Choose a messaging strategy and explain its appropriateness for the target audience and message.
   • Explain the type of messaging strategy (or strategies) you plan to use for conveying your message.
10. Select at least one communication channel that will effectively share the message. Explain why the selected channels are appropriate.
    • Explain which communication channel (or channels) will be best for distributing your message to your target audience, such as social media platforms, television, radio, advertisement, and so on.
13. Explain what desired action or understanding the audience should do or know after receiving the message.
    • Explain what knowledge or understanding you want the audience to gain from receiving your message.
    • Alternatively, if your message requires a call to action, explain the desired action or actions you want the audience to take because of receiving your message.
16. Provide a rationale for how each element of the messaging strategy contributes to the creation of an effective message.
18. Reflect on the overall message strategy and describe how your consideration of the target audience played a role in developing your message.

Be sure to fill in each section (element and rationale) of the Module Six Practice Exercise Template. For each part of your messaging strategy, explain each element. Also include a brief (between three to five sentences) rationale that clarifies how each element will make your messaging more effective.