CDC Features

CDC Features

CDC Launches Two New Podcast Series for the public

CDC has recently launched two new podcast series – "Ask CDC" which answers real questions submitted to 1-800-CDC-INFO and askcdc@cdc.gov, and "CDC Kidtastics" which provides health and safety information to kids ages 5-10.

Podcasting at CDC

Photo: Recording a CDC podcast. CDC entered the world of podcasting in July 2006 and offers digital audio and video files designed to deliver health and safety information in a convenient format. You can listen to or view the podcasts from the CDC Web page. The files can also be copied to your computer or to a mobile device, like an iPod, Zune, or other portable player. Listen to and/or view CDC podcasts at your leisure and on the go! Sign up for a variety of CDC podcast subscriptions and automatically stay updated on current health and safety issues.

You can search or browse a diverse group of health- and safety-related subjects and select specific topics that are relevant to you. Check out the CDC podcast library. Looking for information on flu vaccines? Want to learn more about how to have a healthy pregnancy? New podcasts are frequently available and some are in Spanish. All CDC podcasts are accessible to people with disabilities.

CDC podcasts target a broad audience, including health care professionals and the public. An average of 70,000 downloads are made per week. Over 4 million podcasts have been downloaded to date.

The first CDC podcasts featured existing CDC health messages and recommendations. Very quickly, the content base and style grew, and within a few months, a weekly series for the general public was launched based on the popular publication for health professionals, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). CDC most recently began two new podcast series for the public: Ask CDC and CDC Kidtastics.

Ask CDC

Have you ever wondered how to protect your family from the flu or how to apply for a job at CDC? On April 20, 2009, CDC launched its second weekly audio podcast series, Ask CDC. The series, hosted by CDC-INFO's Susan Laird, is based on questions from the public submitted through 1-800-CDC-INFO and askcdc@cdc.gov. Questions are also driven by public health events or issues, such as the novel H1N1 flu outbreak. A new podcast is published every Monday. To date, 19 Ask CDC podcasts have been published. Topics range from women's heart disease to HIV and kissing to fireworks safety.

If you have a question for Ask CDC, email it to askcdc@cdc.gov and tune in each week to listen to the question and answer of the week.

CDC Kidtastics

Photo: Three children wearing headphones. Unlike Ask CDC, CDC Kidtastics is targeted to a very specific audience – kids ages 5 - 10. Launched on March 26, 2009, this audio podcast series is "for kids by kids." Podcasts feature four children - Caydan, Karmen, Chris, and Kaya - known collectively as "The Kidtastics". CDC Kidtastics podcasts are kid-friendly, with fun music and sound effects. Each Kidtastics podcast contains take home health messages that are applicable to children's lives. For example, children learn the steps involved in proper hand washing, the safe way to approach a dog, and how to be safe in the kitchen.

Based on health communication research, CDC developed Kidtastics based on the idea that health information would resonate most with kids if delivered by kids. The voices of the children behind the Kidtastics characters range in age from 6 to 11. Skyler, who plays the part of Kaya Kidtastic, says "I like doing it because kids pay attention to what I'm saying about health."

Radha (Karmen Kidtastic), another character host, drives home the point even further - "My favorite thing about being a voice on CDC Kidtastics is helping the other kids. I mean, couldn't telling kids to wash their hands or be careful with animals be a lifesaver for many? If people do what we tell them, they will stay healthy, and we won't spread diseases. I also learn things, myself; I love to educate kids in a fun way."

To date, six podcasts have been published in the CDC Kidtastics series on topics such as food safety, hand washing, and novel H1N1 flu.

CDC Kidtastics is also available in Spanish! CDC Kidtastics en Espanol launched in May 2009. The podcasts cover the same topics as the English version. There are four kids who are the voices behind the Kidtastics en Espanol - Cristy, Samuel, Mateo, and Tomás. Luis (Mateo Kidtastic) says, "I've learned more than the basics about diseases, such as influenza and salmonella, and how to be healthier myself."

Spread the Word!

CDC encourages listeners to download and/or share these programs. Programs have been utilized as messaging in health clinics, workshops, and within schools. Please tell us how you have used the programs and what you would like to hear next.

If you would like to subscribe to a CDC podcast series, go to: www.cdc.gov/podcasts and click on the "Subscribe" tab.