The Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of 13 new 30-second flu radio PSAs. The new messages feature 13 of America’s governors and Elmo from Sesame Street. The messages, which will be promoted to stations across the country, promote key flu prevention messages to parents and children.
Children and young adults continue to be disproportionately affected by H1N1. According to the CDC, more than half of the hospitalizations from 2009 H1N1 flu reported recently were people age 24 and younger.
“Elmo has emerged as one of our best partners in fighting the flu this year,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “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.”
The new radio PSAs include recordings from: Gov. M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut, Gov. Chet Culver of Iowa, Gov. Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri, Gov. Bev Perdue of North Carolina, Gov. John Hoeven of North Dakota, Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio, Gov. Brad Henry of Oklahoma, Gov. Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont, Gov. Chris Gregoire of Washington, and Gov. Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming.
