Office of Communications and Public Liaison

The **Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL)** at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for managing communications between NIH and the public, media, and stakeholders. It aims to effectively disseminate information about NIH research, programs, and health-related initiatives.

Official Site

Mission

The mission of OCPL is to enhance public understanding of NIH's scientific endeavors, health research, and its implications for health and medicine. OCPL facilitates transparent, accurate, and timely communication to diverse audiences to promote health literacy and support informed decision-making.^[1]

Parent organization

OCPL is part of the Office of the Director at the NIH, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.^[2]

Legislation

While not established by a specific piece of legislation, OCPL's activities are supported by the general mandate of NIH under the Public Health Service Act to communicate health research findings to the public.^[3]

Number of employees

Specific employee numbers for OCPL are not publicly detailed, but it includes communication specialists, media relations experts, and digital content creators.

Organization structure

- OCPL is structured with:

**Director** leading the office.
**Deputy Director for Public Affairs** for strategic communication.
**Strategic Communications and Media Relations Branch** for media outreach.
**Special Events and Visits Branch** for managing public events.
**Staff News and Public Inquiries Branch** for internal and public communications.
**NIH Freedom of Information Act Office** for handling FOIA requests.

List of programs

- Media relations and press releases. - Public health information campaigns. - Management of NIH's digital presence, including social media. - Coordination of special events, conferences, and visits. - Development of health education materials. - Administration of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Last total enacted budget

OCPL's budget is not distinctly reported but is part of the broader NIH budget. For FY 2023, NIH's total budget was approximately $47.4 billion.^[4]

Leader

The leader of OCPL holds the title **Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison**.

Services provided

OCPL provides communication strategy, media relations, event coordination, public inquiries response, and digital content management. It works to bridge the gap between NIH research and public understanding, ensuring that scientific findings are accessible and relevant to various audiences.^[5]

Regulations overseen

OCPL doesn't directly oversee regulations but ensures compliance with communication policies, including those related to the Freedom of Information Act, and helps in developing communication guidelines within NIH.

Headquarters address

9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA

Website

https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/office-director/communications-public-liaison

Wikipedia article

wikipedia:Office of Communications and Public Liaison

[1] ttps://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/office-director/communications-public-liaison

[2] ttps://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/office-director

[3] ttps://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section201&num=0&edition=prelim

[4] ttps://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/budget

[5] ttps://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/office-director/communications-public-liaison

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