CHAPTER ONE: CONDUCTING HEALTH ASSESSMENTS AND CONSULTATIONS
those emissions and the resulting concentrations from the base. The model
contained data from the base's emission inventory for a variety of carcinogenic
compounds. The modeled results included the average annual and 1-hour
maximum concentration estimates for each hazardous substance. In concert
with the air dispersion modeling, ATSDR also used GIS, risk assessment, and
health outcome data to identify geographic areas that needed further study
because of a potentially elevated cancer risk. These areas were further
analyzed with dose reconstruction, refined modeling activities, and additional
health outcome data.
While the ATSDR scientists were gathering, reviewing, and evaluating
environmental and health information, other staff worked to establish good
lines of communication with the community members living at the base. This
was done by arranging meetings, including one with a small focus group,
another with a citizens' group, and other meetings to talk individually with
community leaders. Additionally, a public meeting with a poster session drew
about 100 attendees. ATSDR's staff members have focused on increasing the
opportunity for closer interaction with Spanish-speaking community members
at this site and recording of their health concerns. The staff members have
translated information for community meetings, press releases, fact sheets,
fliers, and public service announcements into Spanish.
ATSDR's public health assessment concluded that the community is not
currently exposed to levels of contaminants from the base that would cause
people to become sick, but that the community may have been exposed to
higher levels of contaminants in the past. ATSDR recommended follow-up
activities that involve health education and evaluation of health outcomes.
ENHANCING OUR WORK IN COMMUNITIES:
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Community Involvement Program
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation's Community
Involvement Branch was established in 1998. By taking the lead in establishing
and maintaining partnerships with communities near sites served by ATSDR,
community involvement staff members are generally involved in most of
ATSDR's site-specific activities, such as public health assessments and health
consultations. Community involvement staff members facilitate collaboration
and information exchange between ATSDR and communities and other
government agencies involved at those sites. They provide an essential link
between the community and the ATSDR scientists who are working to address
the communities' health concerns and to protect public health.
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