Tools that Build Capacity to Educate NC Families about Home-Based Health Hazards

The Community Outreach and Engagement Core (COEC) of the UNC-Chapel Hill Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS) is developing an environmental health toolbox for public health professionals to use with clients in low income and minority communities in NC. We will demonstrate a range of materials used in train-the-trainer sessions to address environmental health concerns such as asthma, lead poisoning, pesticides and home safety. These materials include videos, a Jr. Healthy Homes Detective Program for youth, educational literature that meets varying literacy levels and a home assessment form used to educate families about environmental health hazards in their homes. We will describe how these materials are used by a variety of health professionals--including environmental health specialists, community health workers, nurses, and health educators--to reach vulnerable populations. The presentation will also include preliminary evaluation results from trainings with health professionals and home assessments conducted by community health workers, including indicators of behavior change among participating families.