Webinar to Uncover Insights for Communicating Mosquito-borne Disease on World Mosquito Day
UPCOMING WEBINAR – The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) will host a special webinar on Aug. 20, 2026 at 1 P.M. EDT in recognition of World Mosquito Day, bringing together experts to discuss effective communication strategies related to mosquito control, mosquito-borne diseases, and public outreach.
World Mosquito Day is observed annually on Aug. 20 to raise awareness about the global impact of mosquito-borne illnesses and the importance of prevention and control efforts.
“Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance; they can affect the health and well-being of communities across Florida and beyond,” said Lauri Baker, professor of agricultural communication at the University of Florida. “In this webinar, participants will learn about current research and effective communication approaches they can use to engage their audiences and encourage informed decisions about mosquito-borne disease prevention.”
The webinar will share findings from a study on how students perceived educational media on West Nile virus and what influenced their intentions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.
Participants will learn practical lessons about creating effective health messages, as well as an overview of the Prevent & Protect project’s ready-to-use outreach materials, including social media content, videos, infographics, lesson plans, Extension publications, and communication toolkits for mosquito control and mosquito-borne disease education.
This session is ideal for Extension professionals, educators, public health communicators, and others interested in improving community outreach related to mosquito-borne disease prevention.
About the Speakers
Dr. Lauri Baker is a professor of agricultural communication in the University of Florida Department of Agricultural Education and Communication and an affiliate faculty member with the UF/IFAS PIE Center. Her research focuses on science communication, public engagement and strategic communication related to agriculture, natural resources, health and environmental issues.
Dr. Ashley McLeod-Morin is an Extension scientist with the UF/IFAS PIE Center and associate director of strategic communication for the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety. Her work focuses on science, health and agricultural communication, helping translate research into practical information for diverse audiences.
Event Details
What: Mosquito Messaging: Research Insights and Outreach Tools for Communicating Mosquito-borne Disease Prevention (Webinar)
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 1 P.M. EDT
Where: Zoom; register to receive a link to join
Registration Link: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CKIVaDkuR6aWTVb1wjVp6Q#/registration
Contact Information
Karli Leitheiser
Phone: 352-294-3181
Email: kleitheiser@ufl.edu
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ABOUT UF/IFAS PIE CENTER
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) conducts and disseminates objective interdisciplinary research and educational programs to increase public understanding of and engagement in agricultural and natural resources issues.
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