Development action with informed and engaged societies

After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. 

Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future. 

On the transfer, co-founder Victoria Martin expressed her pleasure to see this work continue under Wits' leadership, knowing that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction. 

As Wits, we honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades and look forward building from that strong base. This includes co-founders Warren Feek (1953-2024) and Victoria Martin as well as La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA), which continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com with links to The CI Global site. We are also eager to forge new partnerships and entertain new ideas as we consider how best to contribute to social and behaviour change in our rapidly evolving environment.

If you are joining the International Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama, please join Wits and CILA on Monday, 22 June, to share your thoughts and suggestion for the relaunch of the Communication Initiative. We will be in Pacifica 5 from 12-1:25 for the Refuel, Reflect, and Renew Lunch Series: The Communication Initiative: celebrating a driving force for Communication for Social Change and the way forward. We will reflect on the legacy of Warren Feek and family in creating the Communication Initiative, consider the contributions of CI over the years and then turn our attention towards the future in this dynamic session. 

If you are unable to join us in Panama, we still want to hear from you. Please contribute your thoughts by following this link: https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026 or reaching out to ci_surveys@commint.com

You can also follow the QR Code:

 https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026

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National Diabetes Education Program Hispanic/Latino Campaign - United States

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The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) launched a communication campaign that aimed to empower Hispanics who have diabetes.
Communication Strategies
The programme's strategies included use of the Hispanic media to provide consumers with hope about controlling diabetes and reinforcement of media messages through appropriate community organisations.

Specifically, the programme produced 15- and 30-second television public service announcements (PSAs) in Spanish and English, a 30-second radio PSA in Spanish, and a print PSA in Spanish, all with the theme "Rayos y Truenos" or "Thunder and Lightening." A press kit in Spanish and English included a photo board, print PSA, press release, educational brochures, fact sheets on the burden of diabetes among Hispanics, an overview of the NDEP, and other background materials. These kits were mailed to Hispanic media throughout the nation, as well as to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) state Diabetes Control Programs.
Development Issues
Health
Key Points
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino Americans, and the 4th leading cause of death among Hispanic women and among Hispanic elderly. Hispanic/Latino Americans have the second highest rate of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes (NIDDM) compared to other populations. Diabetes incidence is highest among certain Hispanic/Latino population groups (Puerto Rican, Mexican) and low-income Hispanics/Latinos with lower levels of education.

The campaign received over 95 radio placements with 485 airings, for a total reach of more than 5.5 million listeners. There were 16 television placements with 87 airings, for a total reach of over 3.3 million viewers; over 29 newspapers and magazines ran the print PSAs, which were seen by over one million readers. Materials were received by over 250 Hispanic radio stations and 50 Hispanic television stations; 75 newspapers and magazines received campaign materials. The campaign was recognised with an International Academy of Communications Mercury Silver Award and received the Health Improvement Institute's Award of Excellence.
Partners

NDEP, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, The National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO), National Council of LaRaza, Puerto Rican Association of Diabetes Educators, White Memorial Medical Center of Los Angeles, Perfil Latino, and Concilio Latino de Salud.