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COVID-19 Public Education Campaign: Funding and Management Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a $265 million campaign to promote COVID-19 prevention and encourage vaccine acceptance in the summer of 2020. The campaign, led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA), aimed to share information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and increase vaccine acceptance. However, concerns were raised about the campaign's funding source and timing, given the upcoming election. This report examines the campaign's funding, efforts to align materials with public health recommendations, and other issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • The campaign was funded with $100 million from the CARES Act and $200 million from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, totaling $300 million.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to solicit proposals and make awards to two consulting firms: Atlas Research and Fors Marsh Group.
  • Atlas Research received a nearly $15 million contract to develop public service announcements featuring members of the entertainment industry and public health officials, while Fors Marsh Group developed multiple messages for the public on vaccine development and COVID-19 prevention.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ASPA entered into a $300 million interagency agreement, which was initially funded with $100 million from the CARES Act.
  • The then-Secretary of Health and Human Services convened a group of public health officials in October 2020 to ensure the campaign served important public health purposes.
  • FDA terminated the Atlas Research contract in November 2020, following an HHS internal review.
  • Fors Marsh Group has continued to work on the campaign.

Statistics:

  • $265 million: The total cost of the COVID-19 public education campaign.
  • $100 million: The amount of CARES Act funds used for the campaign.
  • $200 million: The amount of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act funds used for the campaign.
  • $300 million: The total amount of funds used for the interagency agreement between CDC and ASPA.
  • $15 million: The amount of the contract awarded to Atlas Research.
  • $250 million: The amount of the award made to Fors Marsh Group.

Sources:

  • U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): "COVID-19 Public Education Campaign Funding and Management Concerns" (GAO-21-100440)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Press Release (2020)
  • CARES Act: P.L. 116-136 (March 27, 2020)
  • Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act: P.L. 116-139 (April 24, 2020)

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