Strengthening public health communication

Section 319F of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6) is amended— (1)in subsection (b), to read as follows:

(b)

Public health information and communications advisory committee

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Public Health Information and Communications Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the Advisory Committee). (2)

Duties

The Advisory Committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary and report on— (A)critical aspects of communication and dissemination of scientific and evidence-based public health information during public health emergencies, including— (i)the role and impact of misinformation on the response to such public health emergencies; (ii)the role of risk communication before and during such public health emergencies; and (iii)other relevant factors, as the Secretary determines appropriate; (B)information from academic institutions, community-based organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations related to evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies and best practices to effectively communicate and disseminate such information; and (C)strategies to improve communication and dissemination of scientific and evidence-based public health information to the public, and, as appropriate, to address misinformation during public health emergencies, including strategies to— (i)identify the most effective methods for the dissemination of information during a public health emergency; (ii)determine best practices and communicate information to populations that may be impacted by such misinformation; and (iii)adapt approaches for the dissemination of information, as appropriate, to address emerging trends related to misinformation. (3)

Composition

The Advisory Committee shall be composed of— (A)appropriate Federal officials, appointed by the Secretary, who shall serve as nonvoting members; and (B)individuals, appointed by the Secretary, with expertise in public health, medicine, communications, related technology, psychology, national security, and other areas, as the Secretary determines appropriate, who shall serve as voting members. (4)

Dissemination

The Secretary shall review the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and, not later than 180 days after receipt of the report under paragraph (2), shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report describing any actions planned by the Secretary related to the communication and dissemination of scientific and evidence-based public health information, including addressing misinformation, as appropriate. (5)

Termination

The Advisory Committee shall terminate 4 years after the date of enactment of the Promoting Public Health Information Act.

;

(2)by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); (3)by inserting after subsection (e) the following:

(f)

Educational initiatives

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall award assistance for the development of evidence-based initiatives to promote fact-based public health and medical science information to the public and educate the public on how to identify misinformation, disinformation, and credible information. (2)

Consultation

In developing the initiatives under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with— (A)the Public Health Information and Communications Advisory Committee established under subsection (b); (B)experts in the fields of public health and medicine, communication, technology, behavioral science, and other relevant disciplines as appropriate; and (C)relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate. (3)

Requirements

The initiatives established under this subsection shall— (A)be an evidence-based or evidence-informed media and public engagement initiative that includes partnerships with national and local organizations; (B)ensure that official scientific and public health guidance is accessible and communicated effectively to the public with specific focus on populations that are underserved or with low health literacy; and (C)ensure that activities are tailored towards subgroups that are being targeted for health misinformation and disinformation, or are especially susceptible to health misinformation and disinformation, in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

; and

(4)by adding at the end of subsection (g), as so redesignated, the following:

(3)

Funding for Advisory Committee and educational initiatives

There are authorized to be appropriated $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 for purposes of carrying out subsections (b) and (f).