As a communications agency exclusively focused on health and wellness, we know that public health works hand in hand with health care communications and advocacy to improve lives. This is why public health communications is woven into the fabric of CURA.
Since our inception in 2016, CURA Strategies has been committed to one mission: transforming health care. We have advanced our clients’ missions with tailored strategies that include integrated communications, government relations and public health partnerships.
While public health work ranges from policy development to disease research, we can’t transform health care without empowering people to understand, manage and advocate for their own wellness. At CURA, we are in the business of empowering people to improve health outcomes – both at the individual level and at the organizational/system level. Our team is skilled at driving health policy change, engaging communities, and executing public health campaigns that target providers, consumers and/or policymakers at both the hyperlocal and national level.
These are the pillars that guide us in advancing our clients’ public health missions:
1. With an interdisciplinary team of public health experts, graphic designers, digital strategists, PR specialists and government relations gurus, we bring dynamic, inclusive and innovative work to our public health clients every day. This work is accomplished, in part, by the diversity we foster at CURA, showcased by the diverse fields of expertise and lived experiences that make up our team.
We work with our clients to make sure that our communications are relevant, culturally appropriate and inclusive. We want to encourage healthy behaviors and access to preventive services so that people can achieve a state of health, not just the absence of disease.
2. Public health models and frameworks view people as a whole, not just patients. They consider social determinants of health, such as our living conditions, our work environment, and our access to healthy food and recreation. CURA excels at advancing these tenants of public health through community engagement. We work with communities to identify their unique needs and develop solutions that address those needs. Below are a few examples of how we address population needs by community engagement and addressing social determinants of health.
The issue: How can we address transportation as a social determinant of health that impacts access to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?
The solution: In Rockford, IL, we partnered with trusted and recognized local health systems to offer vaccinations to residents of a housing community. We went directly to the community and made sure that a pharmacist was on-site to answer any questions they had about the preventative service.
The issue: How are we using stakeholder voices to influence health outcomes for families?
The solution: In Frederick County, MD, we are a partner of the Family Connects Frederick County program, which aims to improve the health of newborn babies and their mothers. Stakeholders and community leaders are at the core of the program and how services are delivered to families. Our stakeholders include families with lived experience, health care providers, faith leaders, community partners, social service providers, and practicing physicians.
Through a series of information gathering sessions, we‘ve shared testimonials from mothers on their pregnancy and postpartum experience in Frederick County. This information has helped our stakeholders identify challenges that families are facing and opportunities to make a real difference in the health and well-being of birthing parents and newborns.
Pictured: Pilar Olivo, Adepta LLC (left) and India Hinton, CURA Strategies (Right) with Former County Executive, Jan Gardner (Middle)
3. We understand that public health is transformative. Public health is a vital part of our society and it has the potential to transform our lives for the better. By preventing disease, improving health equity, building healthier communities, and responding to emergencies, public health can help us live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. As we know, this impact can lead to more cohesive and supportive communities, which benefits everyone.
As a woman-owned small business based in the metro DC area we know our impact can be significant and far-reaching—just look at the transformational work we’ve been able to accomplish with our clients!
We’d love to work with you to activate your mission. Contact us!
CURA’s Public Health Services
Strategy Development & Execution
From start to finish, we will help you think through and execute the best strategies and tactics to achieve your public health communications goals. Informed by research and analysis, we can work with you on strategic consulting, campaign and program development and management, stakeholder engagement, coalition building and thought leadership positioning and training.
Communications & Public Relations
We use the right communication and marketing tools to get your public health message out to the communities you serve. From media relations, event support and social media management to web development, email marketing and digital advertising, we can work as an extension of your team to artfully achieve your public health communications goals.
Government Relations & Public Affairs
Government action—Congress passing a new law, the Department of Health and Human Services issuing new guidance—plays a significant role in the success of public health initiatives. Our government relations professionals can help you develop a strategy to shape the debate, educate key decisionmakers, unite stakeholders and activate grassroots advocates to lobby for policy or regulatory changes that improves health outcomes.
Creative & Branding
Appealing design and cohesive branding are critical to breaking through the noise and effectively communicating your story. Together, we can help advance your public health initiative shine through naming, branding and messaging, professional graphic design, multimedia production and web design.
CURA’s Public Health Team
Kate Lyons, MSM
Kate is a communications professional with over a decade of experience building successful campaigns to drive profits and increase market share. With extensive experience in campaign optimization, crisis communications and community outreach, Kate is an energetic leader devoted to simplified storytelling for optimal results. Prior to joining CURA Strategies, Kate rebranded a health care system and served as the Public Information Officer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Falen Petros, MS
Falen is skilled at health promotion, education, and community relations. Falen has a passion for health equity and social marketing. Prior to joining CURA, Falen worked at Child Care Aware of America to support Child Care Resource and Referral agencies across the country. Falen’s professional experiences also include serving as a Health Educator at Inova Health Systems. Falen received her Master of Science in Public Health Education and Promotion from Marymount University.
India Hinton, MS, CNS, LDN
India is an innovative and driven public health professional and maternal and child health advocate. India has a wide range of knowledge and experience in health communications, program planning implementation, and identifying and analyzing public health issues that impact community health outcomes. India is committed to advancing health equity and strives to address health disparities of marginalized communities through public health policies, programs, and practices. She is currently an MPH candidate at George Washington University.
Hanna DeVarona, MPH
Hanna is a dedicated public health professional with a strong passion for advancing health equity and public health objectives. Her experience includes using digital tools such as social media and story-telling to promote health behaviors and policies. Hanna received her Master of Public Health in Public Health Communications and Marketing from George Washington University.
CURA’s Public Health Campaign Awards
2023 SABRE Awards North America, Government Agency of the Year, Finalist
2023 PRWeek Healthcare Awards, Best in Health Equity, Honorable Mention
