Asbestos Public Health Campaigns and Disease Prevention Movements in the 21st Century

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, continues to be one of the largest man-made disasters and the root of a public health epidemic.  Between 1900 and 2013, the U.S. consumed 31 million tons of asbestos.  Globally, approximately 2 million tons are mined every year, and the U.S. imports more than 1,000 tons annually.  The general public’s lack of asbestos awareness and education is a large barrier to prevention of exposure and disease, and the threat of occupational, environmental, and consumer exposure persists.  The World Health Organization estimates that over 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases resulting from occupational exposure.  In the U.S., that translates to 10,000 preventable deaths each year.  While more than 50 countries have taken proactive measures and banned asbestos, the U.S. has lagged behind in policy initiatives, and imports continue.

This presentation will examine 21^st century national and international public health campaigns, their strategic storytelling, and the data shared to protect public health.  Highlighting health and safety campaigns from Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey, this session will discuss new awareness and risk management trends in civil society, the private sector, and government.  Evaluating the obstacles and opportunities of technological advancements, Reinstein will also discuss cost-effective new media strategies for coordinating successful educational, advocacy, and community campaigns to protect public health. These strategies will explain how to replicate and sustain storytelling techniques in order to centralize educational information and resources, transition from one-sided messaging to public interaction, and empower workers and businesses to increase safety and compliance.