Assessing risk communication effectiveness: perspectives of agency practitioners.
A study conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a US public health agency, evaluated ATSDR's risk communication process, specifically the roles and responsibilities, planning, implementation, and coordination of activities in response to illegal indoor spraying of methyl parathion, a hazardous pesticide, in Pascagoula, MS. Interviews of staff members involved in the intervention were conducted and an analysis revealed strengths and areas in need of improvement in the design and implementation of risk communication strategies. Key recommendations included developing a clear strategy for planning and conducting communication activities; determining staff roles and responsibilities for coordination; and developing clear and consistent health messages, a dissemination strategy, and training in the delivery and evaluation of messages, effects, and outcomes.
Tinker
T L
TL
Communication and Research Branch, Division of Health Education and Promotion, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. txt2@cdc.gov
Collins
C M
CM
King
H S
HS
Hoover
M D
MD
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008743:Methyl Parathion / Q000009:adverse effects; D008922:Mississippi; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007306:Insecticides; D008743:Methyl Parathion