Lisa Gaetke, Ph.D., R.D.

1. Utilizing the Strengths of a Land-Grant Institution: The University of Kentucky SBRP and Cooperative Extension Service Working Together for Increased Stakeholder Engagement Lisa Gaetke, Ph.D., R.D.

2. Working Together Academics Cooperative Extension Service Community members

3. Academics UK’s SBRP’s researchers focus: How nutrition affects the consequences of exposure to environmental contaminants

4. Nutrition • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other chlorinated compounds

5. UK SBRP Research: • Exposure to coplanar PCBs contributes to oxidative damage and an increased risk for chronic diseases: • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) • Diabetes • Health risks are worsened by poor diet • Intake of anti-oxidants may protect against oxidative stress

6. UK’s SBRP’s Community Outreach Core Superfund Community Action through Nutrition (SCAN) (Nutrition education programs)

7. SCAN Programs Translate nutrition research to the public Evidence-based information proven with clinical trials Registered Dietitians - credentialed and licensed

8. SCAN Objectives • Identifying groups and individuals affected by pollutants for programs • Recruiting and earning trust

9. Offering meaningful programs that can be shown to be helpful

10. Cooperative Extension Service (CES) • Mission: to provide educational programs to the citizens of the state from the knowledge and research generated by public universities • 1914

11. CES Agents: • Trained in communication • Designated by area of educational programming • Agricultural/Environmental Science – includes environmental issues • Family and Consumer Science – includes health, food and nutrition issues • Located in every county in the state

12. How have CES agents helped us? • Live in, and are trusted members of, the community • Participate in SCAN programs

13. Joint publication of technical and low-literacy publications • Encourage graduate student participation in community programs

14. SCAN Community Superfund Sites • Western KY • Eastern KY

15. Western KYPaducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant

16. Eastern KYNational Electric Coil Co/Cooper Industries

17. What can I do to protect myself from the contaminants found at the neighboring Superfund site • Eat foods to maintain health and improve your immune system

18. Eat more fruits and vegetables (contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants) • Eat more fiber and whole grains (plant-based foods) • Eat low fat foods

19. What type of nutritional information could an RPM or health official give? • Educate on nutrition – health officials • Government, USDA information – Food guide pyramid, 5 A Day • Counsel on nutrition – Registered dietitian or physician • RPM – comfort level

20. Are there potential legal issues with recommending nutritional intervention strategies? • One site with pending litigation – could not collect food records • Attorney supported SCAN programs, but not participating in “research”

21. Isn’t a PRP going to say they don’t need to clean up a site if those living nearby can reduce impacts of exposure by changing their diet?

22. Couldn’t a PRP use this information to “blame” impacted populations for health issues for failing to follow nutrition guidelines? • Limited studies • Legal causation issues

23. How long did the relationship building process take with the community? • Western KY - 3 yrs from initial contact to actual SCAN presentation • Eastern KY - 7 months

24. Please elaborate on the train-the-trainer approach. • SCAN programs for trainers • Use of government, USDA programs like Food Guide Pyramid, 5 A Day

25. How can RPMs get student involvement and extension officers at Superfund sites? • Nearby University dietetics and environmental science programs – experiential learning • State land-grant university

26. Supported by NIH/NIEHS (P42ES07380)