provides technical assistance in environmental
and (3) write a plan for a specific target audi-
health science and toxicology. The four partici-
ence. Techniques such as role playing, creation
pants in the program are the College of
of materials, and values clarification were used.
Menominee Nation, Dine College, Northwest
Workshop evaluations revealed that participants
Indian College, and Turtle Mountain Commu-
thought the program content was useful for their
nity College. The program is designed to help
work, the materials were effective, and their
tribal colleges and universities develop environ-
expectations were met.
mental health curricula. For example, through
Approximately 2,000 people who live in the
the program Dine College plans to offer an
communities nearby benefitted from the work-
associate of science in public health degree
shop. Because the participants work with
program to increase the number of Navajo
communities in other parts of Mexico, the
health professionals. The program will have an
potential benefit of the workshop was even
environmental public health track.
greater. Benefits included improved interagency
coordination and improved ability to deal with
Risk Communication and
environmental health problems. The workshop
also opened a door to future collaboration
Research Activities
between ATSDR and the state of Hidalgo.
Health risk communication is an emerging area
of
emphasis and importance at ATSDR
and in
Communication Strategies and Message
parts of the broader public health community.
Development for Targeted Audiences
Over the past decade, health risk communica-
The purpose of this project was to (1) develop
tion has played an integral part in ATSDR's
environmental education relationships with
comprehensive efforts to prevent or mitigate
schools that are near toxic waste sites; (2)
adverse human health outcomes related to
educate and empower children and teachers
hazardous substance exposure. Effective risk
within the Kids for Saving Earth (KSE) network
communication involves more than merely
to better understand the earth's environmental
explaining a health or environmental risk to the
problems and to provide them with action-
public. ATSDR has been working with its
oriented, noncontroversial, and engaging
health-care partners to develop effective and
educational materials and activities; and (3)
relevant health communication strategies and
inform children about the role of government
messages. Messages are tailored for targeted
agencies in environmental programs. In fiscal
audience needs (for example, cultural-, age- or
year 2000, KSE designed a poster and
sex-specific).
worksheets to teach youngsters about how to
deal with the consequences of toxic waste sites.
Children's artwork was included in the designs.
KSE sent packets of environmental information
training course was held in Pachuca, Mexico,
to 4,000 schools nationwide, encouraging
the capital of the state of Hidalgo, from May 31,
students to become members of the organization
2000, to June 2, 2000. The course objectives
and to use the KSE Web site.
included enabling participants to (1) identify the
KSE and ATSDR are currently working together
to expand last year's outreach program to
describe the stages in health risk communica-
educators and children. KSE will adapt the
tion planning, implementation, and evaluation;
54 chapter 4