From design to dissemination: Communicating science in the aftermath of disasters

Environmental epidemiologic studies use trans-disciplinary, complex approaches to answer seemingly simple questions from communities such as is the seafood safe to eat or the air safe to breathe. Human health studies differ distinctly from animal studies in design and implementation. From a design perspective, randomized controlled trials, the gold standard in providing the most direct evidence of causation, are not possible because exposures to contaminants have often already occurred and prospectively exposing humans is ethically inappropriate. Common study limitations are insufficient exposure characterization, especially past exposures, lag time between exposure and study, obtaining a representative study sample and control subjects, and confounding social determinants which may influence environmental studies’ findings. Since, unlike lab experiments, human health studies are conducted in a public forum, earning community trust is critical. 

From design to dissemination, post-disaster research teams are faced with critical challenges beyond those inherent to human health studies in general and environmental epidemiologic studies specifically.  Among the key pre-design challenges are the high concern/ low trust environment, the perception = reality equation, and the community’s need for health services.  To achieve the interactive nature of health risk communication as defined by the National Research Council, an upstream, collaborative community-based participatory approach is required.  This presentation will use case-based examples from the US Gulf Coast describing methodologies to embed multi-directional communication and dissemination in each aspect of study design and implementation.  Strategies to sustain and grow community assets and trust in-between disasters will also be highlighted.