Outrage is Peter Sandman's term for communities' response to environmental risks and their implications for health. Citizens who ae worried about their safety and distrustful of government's willingness and ability to protect them from harm often express the outrange in blaming, even hostile, terms. The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control is committed to being responsive to citizen concerns and to involving communities in decisions that affect them. The creation of a network of local staff to enlarge DHEC's capacity for preventing, responding to, and ameliorating public outrage that is disproportinate to the hazard builds on earlier initiatives. The initial cadre of participants was nominated, selected, and received training in a wide array of areas that will be discussed. The HELP team (Health & environmental Linking People) is a model for: - Working across cultural, discipline and organizational boundaries. - Increaing capacity for early invovement and problem resoulution by local staff working within communities - - Demonstrating commitment of government to be reasonable, responsible, and caring professionals. - Building a model for teamwork linking health & environment.
Learning Objectives: 1. Experience a model for interdisciplinary public health practice 2. Recognize connections between the environment & human health 3. Appreciate the value of community involvement
Keywords: Community Involvement, Environment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.