Oral

The perception of individual and community risk from environmental and other public health hazards is a complex issue and one that impacts a wide range of issues including individual and community behavior and planning, community resilience, attitudes towards science and science funding (both research and educational), formulation of public policies, and health equity. This session investigates these issues through exploration of four specific public and environmental health issues that have broad implications for communities across the United States. Presentations will provide insight into current methodologies for assessing and interpreting sociobehavioral attitudes towards these issues and the perceived risks associated with them that can be extrapolated to other public health scenarios.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe factors that affect individual and community perception of risk from public health problems or scenarios. 2. Identify current perceptions of health impacts from high profile issues including transportation-related pollution, red tides, and hydrofracking. 3. Demonstrate methodologies for assessing attitudes and perceptions of public health risks, particularly disparate impacts.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)