COLUMBUS, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the availability of 13 new 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) for radio featuring 13 governors, including Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, and Sesame Street’s Elmo.
“The PSA with Elmo is an informative and fun way to educate young people on how they can prevent the spread of H1N1,” Strickland said. “Children are among the most vulnerable for acquiring the flu, but simple things like coughing into your elbow and washing hands properly can go a long way toward keeping them healthy.”
According to HHS, children and young adults continue to be disproportionately affected by H1N1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that more than half of the hospitalizations from 2009 H1N1 flu reported recently were people age 24 and younger.
That’s why HHS has teamed up with Sesame Workshop and other partners to promote flu prevention PSAs aimed at educating children and their parents about the importance of getting vaccinated.
“Elmo has emerged as one of our best partners in fighting the flu this year,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a press release from HHS. “That’s why we are excited for Elmo to join some of the nation’s governors in promoting important flu prevention tips. We know that kids are especially vulnerable against H1N1, and we hope that hearing flu prevention tips from Elmo will help them stay healthy and flu free.”
These new 30-second radio ads are designed for broadcast in states around the country.
