 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Max Lum, MPA, EdD, Office of the Director/Office of Health Communication, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 200 Independence Ave, S.W., Washington, DC 20201, (202) 260-9720, MRL1@cdc.gov and Virginia Sublet, PhD, RPh, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 8436 Woburn Court, Orlando, FL 34786.
Approximately 3 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise on the job. Although noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, loss of hearing is one of the most prevalent occupational diseases in the U.S. and the second highest self-reported workplace injury and illness. In the general population noise is also the cause of hearing loss caused by recreation activities such as loud music, cars, etc. This disease prevents communication with others, impacts self-esteem, and decreases the person's interaction with their environment. Workers in several industries (construction, agriculture, mining, etc.) are at high risk to develop this disease. As such, a study was conducted for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to identify the most effective resources motivating workers at risk to learn about the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. To obtain this information, qualitative research methods were used. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with experts in different industries to obtain information about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes. They were queried about the most effective communication channels and the kind of messages that get the attention of workers. Other issues explored were occupational disease, noise-induced hearing loss as an occupational health hazard, and where noise is a problem in the work environment. This presentation will discuss the methods used to identify the target audience, insights provided by this qualitative research such as the channels and message content preferred by respondents, and the suggested format for communication resources.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to
Keywords: Health Communications, Occupational Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.