Focus group results: How to frame messages for mosquito and tick bite prevention among at-risk audiences

In the United States, tick and mosquito-borne disease risk varies with geographic location, occupation, age, ethnicity, and other factors. To better protect everyone at risk for these diseases, it is important to understand how protective behaviors and communication preferences vary by at risk-group. In May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases conducted focus groups representing seven audiences at-risk for tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. The goal of these focus groups was to assess participant’s knowledge of personal protective behaviors (PPBs) and likelihood to perform these PPBs. Focus group discussions further sought to understand what aspects of communication materials were found to be effective in encouraging tick and mosquito bite prevention, and how each audience receives health information or news. During this panel presentation, we will discuss the focus group findings and how attendees can better tailor vector-borne disease messaging.