Social Science Research Council Research AMP Just Tech
Citation

The World Health Organization’s Guidance for Just-in-Time Learning as a Framework for Normatively Responsible Advocacy in Instructional Risk and Crisis Communication

Author:
Sellnow, Timothy L.; Maciel, Amy
Publication:
Health Communication
Year:
2026

In this study, normatively responsible advocacy is proposed as a primary objective of instructional risk and crisis communication during health-related crises and high-risk events. The World Health Organization’s learning interventions provided to communities and countries during the COVID-19 pandemic serve as a case study. The case study emphasized phronesis in assessing the capacity for normatively responsible advocacy in instructional risk and crisis communication to promote social justice. The case study revealed the recommendations provided in the World Health Organization’s, WHO implementation guidance on emergencies capacity-building: Approaches for just-in-time learning response to health emergencies, are fitting with the four tenets of normatively responsible advocacy in instructional risk and crisis communication: (1) balancing cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning; (2) improvisation in designing instructional content; (3) agility in distribution of instructional content; and (4) meeting the normative needs and expectations of diverse audiences.