CDC
Strategic Communications Support
Services
Industry
Snapshot
Sensis supported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in advancing its mission to provide clear, trusted, and actionable public health information. Working with the Office of the Associate Director for Communication (OADC) and the Division of Public Affairs (DPA), Sensis delivered strategic communication planning, content development, and engagement strategies that helped CDC leaders connect effectively with internal and external audiences nationwide.
Goals and Objectives
- Strengthen CDC leadership communications through data-informed messaging and planning
- Improve message clarity and consistency across the agency’s internal and external audiences
- Deliver clear, inclusive, and accessible content that meets the needs of a diverse public
- Support the development of evidence-based strategic communications plans for key public health initiatives
- Build a repeatable communications framework to guide future crisis and program messaging
Challenges
- Communicating complex, evolving scientific information with empathy, accuracy, and authority
- Managing fast-paced messaging needs across multiple divisions, platforms, and stakeholders
- Addressing audience information fatigue while maintaining engagement and understanding
- Coordinating among numerous internal teams to maintain consistency in voice and messaging
How We Did It
Sensis delivered integrated communication planning, strategic counsel, and content development support designed to improve how CDC connects with the public and its partners.
Our work included:
- Developing communication frameworks and key message platforms for major agency initiatives and leadership priorities
- Crafting executive-level materials, including speeches, talking points, and briefing books, to ensure consistent leadership voice across engagements
- Conducting environmental and media landscape analyses to identify key trends, public sentiment, and opportunities for message refinement
- Producing high-impact written and digital materials that translated technical and scientific information into clear, actionable insights
- Creating data-informed reporting dashboards to measure the reach and performance of communication products and identify opportunities for improvement
- Ensuring all materials adhered to Plain Language, Section 508, and accessibility standards, making information available to a wider and more diverse audience
- Collaborating closely with CDC offices to streamline communication workflows, reduce duplication, and foster consistency across divisions
Results
- Delivered hundreds of strategic communication products, including leadership remarks, briefing materials, message maps, and media content, that met the highest standards for accuracy, clarity, and timeliness
- Enhanced public comprehension and engagement through clearer, more human-centered communication approaches
- Established a sustainable communication framework that improved message coordination across the agency
- Increased internal alignment and efficiency through structured workflows and standardized messaging processes
- Strengthened trust and transparency by supporting the delivery of clear, fact-based communication during moments of heightened public attention
- Helped CDC advance its mission of providing accessible, actionable information that empowers people and communities to make informed health decisions