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Public Health Communication in Washington County, Vermont
Bergeron, Kyle Pellegrino-Wood, Julia Nowak, Connor Davis-Batt, Finn Rezapour, David D’Souza, Nishant Pennant, Luciana
Bergeron, Kyle
Pellegrino-Wood, Julia
Nowak, Connor
Davis-Batt, Finn
Rezapour, David
D’Souza, Nishant
Pennant, Luciana
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Abstract
Background: Almost ⅔ of Vermonters live in rural areas and often have decreased access to health information sources. Rural counties in Vermont also have been found to have worse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to survey Washington County residents and determine their preferred modalities and sources of public health information, as well as the perceived level of trust in these sources.
Methods: Washington County residents (n=80) were surveyed in person at public locations. The survey questions asked about sources, modalities, and trust in public health information as well as demographic information. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Python.
Results: Respondents reported preferring interpersonal (60.5%), digital (50.6%), print (37%) broadcast (28.4%), and other (6.2%). Respondents preferred receiving information directly from their own doctor (71.6%), the VDH (50.6%), the CDC (23.5%) local community organizations (23.5%), family members/friends (19.8%), school (8.6%) and other (23.5%). Individuals from Washington County that had high school, GED or some college experience, were more likely to have higher trust in the CDC than other education groups. There was no statistical difference for the VDH. Trust in public health agencies did not differ statistically between age, gender, race or primary care status.
Conclusion: Compared with other health information sources, Washington County residents place especially high trust in physicians, highlighting clinical care settings as effective channels for health communication. Future research should assess patient trust in institutions such as the VDH and CDC across health topics and subgroups to better refine these findings.
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2026-01-28
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Northern New England Clinical & Translational Research Network