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. 2009 Feb;51(2):146-56.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181965d9b.

Development and successful application of a "Community-First" communication model for community-based environmental health research

Edward Anthony Emmett  1 , Hong Zhang, Frances Susan Shofer, Nancy Rodway, Chintan Desai, David Freeman, Mary Hufford
Affiliations

Development and successful application of a "Community-First" communication model for community-based environmental health research

Edward Anthony Emmett et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2009 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: Effectively communicate results from a community exposure study to meet predetermined community priorities, maintaining ethical principles of autonomy, empowerment and justice.

Methods: The community established principles for the communications and a plan to inform study participants, community and other stakeholders of results and recommendations in a novel sequence: the "Community-First" communication model.

Results: The communications resulted in positive actions including company sponsored free bottled water, accepted by 77.6% of eligible households. Over 95% of participants in a follow-up survey had made some change to residential water supplies. Serum perfluorooctanoate levels were reduced. Government agencies acted on the results.

Conclusions: The unique communication approach generated workable solutions to the problem investigated, raised community awareness and modified behaviors. Information generated a "free market" of community-level solutions. Each major stakeholder voluntarily adopted a "precautionary principle."

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure I
Figure I. Community-First Communication Template
The template for the community-first communication model incorporates the objectives for communication at each of phase of release of results, target groups, the media to be used, members of the partnership responsible for communication, and content components.
Figure II
Figure II. Information Providing Comparative Summary of PFOA (C8) Levels in Blood
This comparative summary of PFOA levels was mailed to individuals participating in the study as well as households in the LHWA District, local authorities, and representatives.
Figure II
Figure II. Information Providing Comparative Summary of PFOA (C8) Levels in Blood
This comparative summary of PFOA levels was mailed to individuals participating in the study as well as households in the LHWA District, local authorities, and representatives.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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