310692
Assessing environmental determinants and perceptions of cancer risk: Opportunities for community-engaged interventions
Methods: A non-probability sample of residents of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, a predominantly minority, underserved area with disparate health outcomes, completed a cross-sectional, 58-item environmental health survey in paper-and-pen format or online from June-December 2013. The survey included items on family history of disease, knowledge of cancer information and environmental justice issues, perception of local environmental quality, perceived cancer risks, and descriptive items. Data were analyzed to calculate descriptive statistics and examine relationships.
Results: Respondents (n=190) were predominantly African American, female, and had lived in the county for >10 years. Overall knowledge of cancer information and environmental justice issues were low to moderate. Sources of pollution, soil contamination, and toxic waste exposure were reported as being “very serious” health threats and problems in their community. Environmental conditions were viewed “very important” by most respondents. Perceptions of cancer risk on a community-level were high (e.g., environment plays a major role in causing cancer) but less so on an individual-level (e.g., low levels of perceived risk).
Conclusion: Respondents indicated a high level of concern about the role of environmental determinants in their community and their health and exhibited low levels of perceived risk as individuals. The results underscore opportunity for community-engaged interventions to focus on the importance of individual, protective behavior but also action to address community-level environmental risks to address health disparities.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationChronic disease management and prevention
Environmental health sciences
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between environmental determinants and perceived cancer risks; Identify opportunities for utilizing assessment data to inform environmental justice interventions using community-engaged approaches
Keyword(s): Health Disparities/Inequities, Community-Based Research (CBPR)
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as the leader of the project described in the abstract, which focuses on environmental determinants and perceptions of cancer risk among a predominantly African-American community. I have conducted community-based research focused on addressing health disparities in South Carolina for over 15 years. I serve as the PI, co-PI, and investigator on health disparities research project funded by federal, state, and foundation entities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.