The Power of Trusted Health Messengers | Christina Madison | TEDxReno

People make decisions based on who is providing the information, not just the information itself. The right messenger is powerful when communicating important health information and getting vulnerable communities to trust the message being provided. When we can establish trust, the message can be heard, understood, and drive action to change, so that individuals can make the best healthcare decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. This is the premise behind public health and why we must invest in public health infrastructure and the public health workforce in order to develop and utilize more trusted messengers. In 2005, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study regarding the impact of the internet and its implications for healthcare providers. It showed a huge shift in the ways in which people consume health and medical information as more people were looking to the internet before seeking the advice of their healthcare professionals. In December 2021, the journal Vaccines published a study that showed that a person was more likely to accept the COVD19 vaccine recommendations if they heard the information from a family member or friend, someone who had been personally vaccinated, or from a healthcare provider they trusted. Both of these studies affirm that prioritizing trusted messengers can literally save lives Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP is the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist®, PLLC a public health consulting firm. She is a clinical pharmacist specializing in public health with a focus on infectious communicable diseases. As a past President of the Nevada Public Health Association, she has been asked to share her clinical public health and infectious disease expertise with Local, National, and International Media outlets and NGO’s. Dr. Madison has been featured in over 200+ on-air TV appearances related to public health. She has an intimate knowledge of the impact public health messaging, policy, and legislation can have on communities. An advocate for victims of human trafficking, vulnerable populations, and the underserved. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at