Abstract No:
1686
Abstract Type:
Student Poster
Authors:
S Willis1, D Sleeth1
Institutions:
1University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Presenter:
Selah Willis
University of Utah
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Darrah Sleeth, PhD, MPH, CIH
University of Utah
Description:
Clear and effective communication is the vital link between industrial hygienists' expertise and the protection of health. Exposure data can guide people's daily behaviors and motivate health-protective actions, but it is valuable only when presented in an accessible and appropriate manner. Many current report-back approaches are not culturally informed or audience-centered, creating a critical gap. This study aimed to develop culturally informed report-back strategies regarding environmental exposure for rural Native American participants. This was accomplished through listening sessions, questionnaires, and focus groups with community members to evaluate prior report-back methods for indoor particulate matter (PM) and radon and to refine report-back strategies across key areas. By actively engaging the community and incorporating cultural perspectives, the goal was to create a report-back strategy that effectively communicates exposure information and promotes enduring changes in behavior, environment, and health outcomes.
Situation/Problem:
The absence of cultural and community input in many exposure report-back methods limits the usefulness of exposure data for guiding lasting health-protective actions in rural Native American communities.
Methods:
Three (3) listening sessions with a total of 35 Northern Arapaho community members were conducted to share study goals, summarize prior sampling activities, identify priority health and cultural concerns, and collect feedback on past report-back approaches and suggestions for improvement. An anonymous questionnaire was also administered to 49 Arapaho members, which assessed the perceived usefulness of current report-back strategies and the acceptability of different information sources. Thematic analysis of the listening sessions and questionnaire responses was used to develop seven (7) vignettes related to key aspects of report-back strategies: timing of exposure education, timing of PM and radon results, level of detail on final PM and radon report, messenger type, and delivery type. These vignettes were presented to 54 additional Arapaho community members across five (5) focus groups. Thematic analysis of focus group responses identified common themes that were used to inform the development of two dominant report-back strategies to be tested in future research.
Results / Conclusions:
Results of the focus groups led to identification of two distinct report-back strategies that were considered acceptable to this community: a basic information approach and a highly informed approach using accessible and culturally sensitive language. The basic strategy provides education before testing, only average exposure results, and delivery of results via one-on-one meetings with a tribal environmental health expert. The highly informed strategy provides education both before and after testing, hourly and average exposure results, and delivery of results by a researcher and tribal member team using a confidential handout with a dedicated group session for answering questions. Across the focus groups, community members emphasized the importance of reducing technical jargon in research materials to improve clarity and ensure communication felt respectful, culturally appropriate, and accessible. This work emphasizes that effective exposure assessment incorporates both accurate measurement and communication approaches that reflect the priorities and needs of the workers, workplaces, and communities served.
Core Competencies:
Risk Communication
Secondary Core Competencies:
Community Exposure
Indoor Air Quality
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Environmental protection and monitoring
Exposure Assessment
Indoor air quality
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
he absence of cultural and community input in many exposure report-back methods limits the usefulness of exposure data for guiding lasting health-protective actions in rural Native American communities. This study demonstrates how community engagement can produce report-back strategies with greater relevance, usefulness, and actionability. It also provides a framework for incorporating community input into the development of exposure report-back strategies. Effective exposure assessment requires not only accurate measurement but also communication approaches that reflect the priorities and needs of the workers, workplaces, and communities served.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes