Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education, and Communications

The Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education, and Communications (OSPEEC) provides comprehensive, integrated, and technology-driven communications leadership and support for all matters relating to outreach-oriented programs and activities directed toward the Institute's vision and mission.

OSPEEC serves as the Institute’s focal point for establishing and implementing information and education programs; develops short- and long-term communication policies and strategies in support of the mission and priorities of the NHLBI; addresses emerging and evolving communications, science planning and policy issues in consultation with internal and external stakeholders; provides a comprehensive and integrated information dissemination and education capability to ensure rapid, accurate, and consistent communications to the constituencies served by NHLBI; sets and provides oversight of policies and processes governing public-facing information channels including, but not limited to, NHLBI’s digital platforms; promotes the evolving NHLBI identity, coordinates NHLBI’s legislative, interagency and science policy activities.

What We Do

Engagement and Media Relations Branch

The Engagement and Media Relations (EMR) Branch implements and maintains communications between the NHLBI and the general public and internal and external audiences to ensure broad dissemination of NHLBI messages. The Branch engages and fosters relationships with key audiences in general and journalists in particular; maintains content on key media platforms like the NHLBI Newsroom and enterprise social media; acts as special initiative strategists; oversees media relations; and advances the public face of the NHLBI.

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Health Education and Digital Information Dissemination Branch

The Health Education and Digital Information Dissemination (HEDID) Branch utilizes the latest health and consumer communications, behavioral, and social marketing research in planning health education and outreach strategies and programming. It also develops consumer messages and content for heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders; provides consulting services for digital outreach, printing, graphic design, and publication layout; provides oversight of digital platforms including governance and management of the NHLBI public website, applications, and social media; provides support for NHLBI exhibits, product marketing, and printed media; and provides clearance support for the NHLBI’s print and Web-based content, ensuring the Institute’s disseminations meet NIH and HHS clearance requirements. The Branch also engages and fosters relationships with public health interest organizations and groups representing audiences who stand to benefit from NHLBI’s information.

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Science Policy, Outreach, and Reporting Branch

The Science Policy, Outreach, and Reporting (SPOR) Branch works to ensure that NHLBI’s scientific research is accurately and clearly communicated to stakeholders and policymakers, so that scientific advances are used to inform policy decisions. The SPOR Branch also acts as a liaison to Congress, which helps the Institute remain accountable and responsive to the public. The Branch engages with government agencies and non-government organizations that share in NHLBI’s mission to improve heart, lung, blood, and sleep health – working collaboratively to help set national policies toward common goals. As part of its accountability and collaboration functions, the SPOR Branch works closely with the NHLBI’s scientific divisions to conduct scientific program analyses, evaluate progress toward program goals, develop technical reports on Institute activities, and respond to scientifically complex inquiries and data calls.

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Contact Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education, and Communications

Postal Mail

Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education and Communications (OSPEEC)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
31 Center Drive, MSC 2480
Bethesda, MD 20892-2480
United States

Phone
(301) 496-4236