FEMA trailers health communication

CDC mounted an outreach effort about formaldehyde and air quality in FEMA-supplied temporary housing in Louisiana and Mississippi that included field work and a rapid response assessment to inform the most effective means of community engagement. Audiences were described through onsite key informant interviews, zip code data, and CDC team members' experience working in the region, and defined by language, type of residence (trailer park, etc.), and other factors.

The outreach was conducted in phases. Phase one: development and dissemination of print and radio materials, outsourced to a private contractor, although largely written by CDC. A primary goal for these messages was to take into account the cultural needs of the population. Consequently, all materials were written in culturally sensitive plain language. Phase two: direct contact with residents through community meetings, conducted by CDC, with the assistance of state and local officials. These sessions focused on explaining the air sampling of occupied trailers, provided residents with information on health effects, and on other CDC efforts on behalf of residents. Phase three: the publicizing and explaining of human health effects studies.

Valuable lessons have been learned in this process, which will impact future communication practices ensuring greater effectiveness when reaching at-risk populations.