Benefits and Risks of Seafood Consumption: Outreach Education for Healthcare Providers and Practitioners

The results of a internet survey about consumers understanding of the 2004 FDA/EPA Advisory about Mercury in Seafood lead a project team to investigate the importance for the medical community to have access to clear and accurate information about seafood and its impact on health for at - risk and other patient groups. There is a need to recognize the range of perspectives for almost any nutritional recommendation and that the more targeted, informed and balanced the recommendation, the better that advisory will be. An internet needs assessment survey was developed for healthcare providers to develop a communication program for the health care community that educates providers about benefits/risks of seafood consumption, and supplies educational tools for them to share with their clients and/or patients. Seafood is growing front and center as a healthy food source worldwide; we want to ensure that the best science-based information is easily available to health care practitioners and their clients. Over 700 healthcare providers were surveyed across the country using an Internet-based questionnaire. Healthcare providers were asked several demographic questions to help compare their responses. They were also asked about their awareness and knowledge of the Advisory. The Advisory recommendations are not clearly understood by consumers - what about healthcare providers?