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Experts
Melissa Akinlawon
Senior Research Associate & Senior Manager, Health Communications
Contact
MelissaAkinlawon@westat.comOverview
Melissa Akinlawon is a Senior Research Associate and Senior Manager, Health Communications, for Public Health with more than 12 years of experience in public health, health education, and strategic communication of health topics to diverse audiences. She supports NHLBI’s heart health and healthy lifestyle projects, as well as national partnership development for CDC’s HIV communications initiatives. She is proficient in communicating public-facing messages; developing demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific presentations; fostering national-level partnerships; and writing content and creating materials on health-related topics for various health literacy levels.
Before joining Westat, Akinlawon was the national social media manager for a value-based health care organization serving older adults around the country. She also has experience in health advocacy campaigns and traditional public relations for small to mid-sized companies and nonprofit organizations. Akinlawon has collaborated with state and federal legislators, health care providers, consumers, and other key stakeholders on health-related issues, campaigns, and policies.
Education
- MA, Health Communication, DePaul University
- BA, Sociology/Public Health, Spelman College