Preparation, Dissemination, and Use of Environmental Health Sciences Data for Advocacy and Interventions

1. Preparation, Dissemination, and Use of Environmental Health Sciences Data for Advocacy and Interventions Derek G. Shendell, D.Env., MPH Director of Environmental Health Sciences and Education California State Coordinating Office Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA) An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

2. Acknowledgements • CAFA Regional Centers and Local Coalitions • Eric M. Roberts, MD, Ph.D. • CAFA Environmental Resource & Data Coordinator • Public Media Center, Policy Link, Community Health Works of SF (SFSU-City College of SF) • California Breathing (California Department of Health Services-Environmental Health Investigations Branch) • “Hands-on” school IAQ and asthma education trainings, September 2004, four regions of California An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

3. Overcoming Potential Fears of Science “It was modern stuff, installed by a technician, and thus it had all the high-tech bells and whistles and a twenty-four page instruction book written in the opaque language that the specialists use to exclude laymen from their science.” Hillerman, Tony. 2002. The Wailing Wind. New York, NY: Harper-Collins Publishers, p. 148 (Ch. 17). An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

4. Setting an Overall Goal “Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.” -- William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) Brown D, Thigpen Tart KG, Goehl TJ. 2004. Editorial– Olden Times: Looking Back on a Career at the NIEHS. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112 (11): A598-A599. (Tribute to Dr. Kenneth J. Olden) An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

5. Working Towards Specific Goals ‘The students are learning the language of human biology so that they can read an article in a magazine or newspaper or have a conversation and understand what hormone replacement therapy means, what cancer is, what a stomach ulcer is.’ Substitute: environmental health, exposure, asthma (clinical + environmental aspects), exposure -- Professor Lee Witters, MD, an endocrinologist and biology professor/undergraduate “pre-med” advisor at Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Medical School. Sloane, Julie. “The Human Condition”. Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, Sept/Oct 2004, p. 31. An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

6. Focus on the Basics and Key Details “…the truth is most communication is 30 seconds or less. It is a buzz of frequent but short exchanges….” -- Dr. Judith Heerwagen, environmental psychologist Kozlowski, D. 2004. The Facility Factor? Can Buildings Boost Productivity?Facilities Net, August, page 4 of 9. Available on Internet, http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/Aug04/Aug04facility.shtml An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

7. Identify Challenges and Information Needed • CAFA State Office conducted three series of three topical conference calls with Local Coalitions and Regional Centers • In spring, summer, and fall of 2004 • The topics were: • Community outdoor air quality • Indoor air and environmental quality • In the home (“healthy housing,” tenants rights) • In schools (including outdoor air “flag programs”) An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

8. CAFA State Office Communications Printed and Electronic Newsletters • Two printed newsletters (spring and fall 2004) • Local coalition vignettes highlight their main activities • Science articles, based on CAFA interests and data projects • Policy briefs describing CAFA local and/or state initiatives • Four e-newsletters (July 2004-January 2005) • Standard format created (received as HTML or text-only) • Highlight key upcoming statewide policy or intervention activity • Provide recent WWW postings (news, resources) • Provide reminders of upcoming meetings and events An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

9. CAFA State Office Outreach ProjectsExample: Briefing Kit (spring 2004) Increase number of educated asthma advocates with enhanced environmental public health knowledge CAFA: Local Coalitions, Regional Centers, policy makers • Informational fact sheets • Science-based, referenced; two pages + 16-130 references each • Asthma in CA, diesel, outdoor air quality, indoor air and environmental quality in homes and in schools • What, who, and where of CAFA, including what do we do • Quotes by members of coalitions and local politicians An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

10. CAFA State Office Data ProjectsExample: Asthma Advocacy Data Book Create a data tool for environmental health advocacy efforts = educational lever for policy change • Provided guidelines for the use, interpretation, and limitations of health and environmental data. • Other section concentrated on a single asthma indicator or environmental factor, and included: • Scientific basis for advocacy • Origins and limitations of data → inform valid interpretation • Further print and electronic (Internet) resources • Most currently available data, at the appropriate levels of analysis An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities

11. “Take-Home” Messages • Identify and address the needs of the target audience • Use multiple forms of well-written, well-designed media communications to provide data and highlight work successes • Create concise, science fact-based printed materials • Use e-mail and e-newsletters wisely • Conduct conference calls with structured yet flexible agendas • Organize meetings and trainings, with plenty of networking time • Use vocabulary at level of general public, even if more words are required to express an important fact or thought • Take advantage of opportunities for internal/external peer review An initiative of: A Partner for Healthier Communities