Session: Environmental Health and the Media

5157.1: Wednesday, November 10, 2004: 2:30 PM-4:00 PM

Oral

Environmental Health and the Media

This session emphasizes the important and potentially beneficial role the media plays in the environmental health arena and the need for public health professionals to effectively communicate information with the press. The public is increasingly concerned about environmental issues that can affect health. The media plays a critical role in shaping the public’s knowledge and perception of environmental health issues. Scientists, educators, and other public health professionals must interact effectively with members of the press to provide accurate and timely information and must also understand the influence of media reports on public health education efforts and other interventions. Examples are provided that demonstrate that there can be a substantial difference between the public’s perception and the environmental health reality. Presentations include perspectives from a Federal environmental health agency, a local health department, and a major national newspaper. Case examples involving lead exposure and lead poisoning are discussed.

Learning Objectives: Understand the critical role scientists, health educators and the local media have in shaping the public’s knowledge and perception of environmental health issues.

Organizer(s):

Michael S. Bowen, MPH
Robin Lee, MPH

Moderator(s):

Kristen Kuhar

2:30 PM

Contrasting media reports versus blood lead level data of children living in a Superfund Site: Old data, misinformation, sensationalism, and the truth about tested children
Michael S. Bowen, MPH, Alden Henderson, PhD

3:00 PM

Health education and community awareness challenges in a Superfund Site: Overcoming misunderstandings and attitudes with the truth about lead poisoning and blood lead screening