Health

The United States entered the new decade with a global pandemic affecting people, economies, and education at levels not seen since the great World Wars. The COVID-19 pandemic has captured society’s full attention, as we have seen the worldwide death toll mount to over 210,000 in less than a year. And, while our collective focus remains on the coronavirus, the sad realities of ...

Sexual assault remains an insidious threat not only in American communities, but in academic and professional environments. For those disproportionately affected—military members, college students, women in male-dominated jobs—the effects of sexual assault are traumatic. Recent social efforts (e.g., #MeToo, #MeTooSTEM) have brought renewed attention to sexual assault in various ...

Each May, Older Americans Month is observed to celebrate the contributions being made by older adults across the country. The 2020 theme is “Make Your Mark,” encouraging everyone—older and younger people alike—to use their time and talents to make a difference in their communities, in the lives of older adults, and in support of those who care for older adults. Within the next ...

Last week, members of Fors Marsh Group’s Communication Research Strategy and Outreach Division attended the Society for Health Communication’s 2020 Virtual Summit. Over the course of two days, we, along with nearly 300 other health and communications professionals, heard from experts about the role of health communications in the COVID-19 pandemic and best practices for buildin ...

In a few short months, our world has changed. The emergence of COVID-19 has touched all our lives and there isn’t a clear end in sight. The fear, anxiety, and stress will undoubtedly have psychological repercussions on a global scale as far reaching as the disease itself. We’re already seeing an increase in mental health concerns across the United States. Remote therapy servic ...

Health events and outbreaks can happen at any time, and as we have seen with COVID-19, they can happen fast. In these situations, it is important for researchers conducting in-person data collection to consider their own health and safety, the possibility of becoming a vector for illness through their travels, and the health and safety of their participants. However, when a hea ...

Election officials in states and localities across the country have always been aware of the need for preparedness. Managing the voting process by its very nature requires extensive preparation—choosing and staffing polling places, designing and printing ballots, building and maintaining voter lists, procuring and managing voting technology, etc.—but increasingly, the work of g ...

As a mission-driven certified B Corporation, Fors Marsh Group (FMG) works with clients across the country and the world to solve social, commercial, and health-related challenges. Our research, evaluation, and health communication experts are accustomed to tackling complex challenges, but we are grappling these days with the same question many companies are: What does it look l ...

Mental illness is pervasive, with one in five adults experiencing its effects in a given year. Chances are you have a friend, family member, or coworker living with a mental illness—although you may not know it. For the 46.6 million people who are impacted by mental illness, Mental Illness Awareness Month is likely not something they openly acknowledge because of the stigma tha ...

84.1 million Americans have prediabetes—and a majority don’t know it. Today is Diabetes Alert Day. On this day, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) aims to spread nation-wide awareness of the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to a recent report by the CDC, about a third of American adults had prediabetes in 2015, yet less than 12% were aware of their condition. Prediabete ...

The theme for the Society for Behavioral Medicine’s (SBM) 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions is “Leading the Narrative.” This theme encourages researchers (1) to conduct high-quality scientific studies, (2) to communicate their findings to diverse audiences in a way that is easy to understand and impactful, and (3) to get involved in careers and activities that allow t ...

Every year, the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) holds an annual conference to bring together professionals who strive to use behavioral science to improve people’s quality of life and health. To follow along with this year’s theme, “Leading the Narrative,” I will be presenting my master’s thesis research on role models and their influence on physical activity and dietary b ...